AIR

Active members from AIR recruited to proactively contribute to raising the profile and widening recognition of the value of artists.

"The current economic climate poses both strong challenges and unusual opportunity for artists. We can no longer passively accept our position within society, so often ironically at the bottom of cultural decision-making hierarchies, without challenging some of the assumptions they rest on. Now is the time to be collectively-minded, organised, and articulate positively and with clarity address the issues confronting professional artists on a national level. This is what being an AIR Activist is about."

Thus says Katriona Beales, one of the first artists to sign up to become an AIR Activist, making the case for representation for artists on campaigning and policy-making platforms such as Cultureforum.

She joins a small band of active members from AIR recruited to spearhead the AIR Activists network.  Other artists include East Midlands-based Mark Brereton and Paul Matosic, Wysing Arts studio artist David Kefford, Artists talking bloggers Rachel Howfield and Emily Speed, North-East interdisciplinary artist Angela Kennedy, Wales based Rachel Rosen and Sophie Cullinan, South-West based artist and curator Rebecca Weeks, and South-East based Susan Diab and Kye Wilson.

They have responded to the call in AIR's Road map to artists' representation and in the art press and have pledged to proactively contribute to raising the profile and widening recognition of the value of artists.

Development of the AIR Activist network is being led by the AIR Council Campaigns Action Group, which includes council members Katriona Beales, Angela Kennedy and AIR Communications Officer Jack Hutchinson. During 2011 they have worked with Emilia Telese, who brought her extensive knowledge of the impact of the NAN initiative and of advocating publicly for artists. They also worked alongside CARFAC (Canadian Artists Representation) Director April Britski, drawing on her considerable experience, to devise a programme of events, training and advocacy briefings to give artists the evidence and confidence they need to make the case for support to artists and contribute fully across all decision-making arenas.

Issues and concerns raised by the AIR Activists are further debated across the AIR membership on the online Forum, informing AIR’s campaigns, actions and advocacy.

Artists are invited to sign up to be an AIR Activist. All you need to do is contact jackhutchinsonair@googlemail.com with your CV and contact details and you'll be sent further information.

You can also sign up for the regular AIR Activists e-newsletter here »

BE ACTIVE. EFFECT CHANGE!

First published: a-n.co.uk August 2010