Arts advice
Where to find help
Chainlinks
The Arts team compile Chainlinks, a free regular newsletter for artists working in all genres. This lists opportunities for artists to exhibit, sell and perform their work and also advises of funding opportunities, competitions, awards and commissions. To see the latest copy, or to subscribe, please email artswest@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.
Exhibition venues in west Cheshire
A short list of galleries and spaces in the local area can be found on this website but there are many more potential art spaces out there.
National or local authority museums and galleries tend to have a very long lead-in time (18 months-three years), though you can sometimes jump this by being on ‘standby’, in case of short-notice cancellations by other artists.
Non-gallery venues (cafes and markets for example) are best approached by visiting and talking to staff. Empty commercial or other properties can offer opportunities for exhibition. Letting agents signs generally have phone numbers which may be called for negotiation, though there are often costs associated with ‘free’ lets.
Arts funding
There are many sources of funding for the arts. It may also be worth considering approaching health and wellbeing pots etc as you may have project outcomes that support the funders’ aims.
Arts Council England
Arts Council England operate ‘Grants for the Arts’ as their main way of supporting one-off projects; details can be found on the Arts Council website.
Trusts and charities
There are thousands of trusts and charities which either prioritise arts or support arts projects as part of their community work (Esme Fairbairn Foundation and Welcome Trust for example)
A comprehensive listing of trusts and charities is published as The Directory of Grant Making Trusts (Directory of Social Change). This can be reached via this link: Directory of Social Change
Local elected members
Local Elected Members (Ward Councillors) have access to small budgets for community projects, which could be applicable to relevant arts projects. The relevant local member should be contacted directly.
Member budgets | Cheshire West and Chester Council
The tax implications of being self employed
Most of the work you will do as an artist will be on a self employed basis, for which you should register with the Inland Revenue. This will mean that you have to do your own tax return. Visit the GOV.UK website for guidance on filling in a tax return.
Make sure you keep a record of what you are earning, and what you are spending so you can fill in the form accurately.
Disclosure and barring service (DBS) certificate for running workshops
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate for running workshops
DBS is a public body in the UK responsible for conducting background checks on individuals to ensure they are suitable for working with children and vulnerable adults. A DBS check provides a record of a person’s criminal convictions and cautions, helping employers make informed hiring decisions.
Arts organisations running workshops and events with children and vulnerable adults will require employees – contracted and freelance, to hold an up-to-date DBS certificate.
If you are a freelance artist who runs workshops or events for children or vulnerable adults, of any genre, for example: art classes, drama clubs, dance classes, it is advisable and good practice to hold an up-to-date DBS certificate.
If you are an artist or cultural organisation, then there is useful information on the GOV.UK website.
Venues suitable for running workshops
Some arts venues will allow you to hire workshop space to run your own workshops.
Cheshire Community Action hosts a list of community venues that may also be useful: Building Directory – Cheshire Community Action
You will need to have public liability insurance and you may require a DBS certificate to do this. It is also good practice to do a risk assessment for any workshop.
Public liability insurance
Public Liability Insurance (PLI) offers essential protection for artists. In the most basic insurance terms, PLI covers the cost of a claim if a third party is injured or their property is damaged because of your negligence. (Please note it does not cover you or your own equipment.)
There are many different companies offering Public liability insurance and Public indemnity insurance for artists. Good policies will cover you up to £10m and the most basic will start at £1m.
You should shop around for premium quotations for the type and level of cover you require routes that are commonly investigated by artists are as follows – many are sector support organisations and members can include public liability insurance with their membership
- Amp band
- a-n The Artists Information Company visual artists and producers
- Axis for visual artists
- Dance Teacher Association
- Equity Actors Union We are the performing arts and entertainment trade union | Equity
- Insurance Broker service
- The Musicians' Union | Trade Union in the UK | The MU
- Making Music | Helping leisure-time music flourish – voluntary sector groups, larger bands and choirs.
- Support for Voice Practitioners - Natural Voice Network
- People Dancing :: Insurance :: Foundation for Community Dance
- Public Liability Insurance | One Dance UK
Risk assessment for workshop and arts events
You need to identify hazards, assess the risks which may arise from those hazards, and decide on suitable measures to eliminate or control the risks.
You might also find it useful to read through the Councils guidance document below.
Local artist collectives and networks
In there are a number of artist networks in the borough that support a diverse range of artists. They aim to expand the opportunities for artists to develop their practice, make high quality work and run workshops.
Promoting my arts project
There are several ways to publicise your arts project, such as creating a website producing flyers, brochures, posters; using social media platforms; writing press releases for local and specialist newspapers and via Arts Council England.
If your event is ticketed, you can also create a page on a ticketing site such as Ticketsource or EventBrite.
Do try to build up a list of your own contacts (buyers, interested parties, potential and previous funders, exhibition venues) to invite to your projects. Aim to build on this with every event that you run by using comments books for example. Any contact details gathered should not be shared with third parties unless permission is given. Please ensure that you are aware of your responsibilities under GDPR, protecting the personal data that you gather.
There is a useful briefing sheet by Creative Lives:
GDPR: Data Protection | Creative Lives
Ensure you promote your activity via social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, and if your event is ticketed, you can also create a page on EventBrite.