This campaign has now closed
Arts Emergency breaks down barriers and forges pathways to the arts for under-resourced & under-privileged young people. We redistribute capital, empowering over 1,800 young people to be their best, most aspirational selves through 1:1 mentoring, opportunities, connections, community & peer support. Thanks to Joe Lycett, Lolly Adefope, Nish Kumar & our Anonymous Trust for match funding this campaign!
Categories
Beneficiaries
Situation
Someone from privilege is 4 times more likely to work in culture and creativity than someone from a working class background - this hasn’t changed since the 1980s. This is the result of creative education cuts, tripling university fees, acceptance of unpaid work, ‘who you know’ recruitment, and financial precarity. Young people with disabilities or from ethnic minorities are even less likely to work in creative fields. We exist to change this: creating privilege for people without privilege.
Solution
We tackle these inequalities at a grassroots level. We work with bright & curious young people from under-resourced & under-represented backgrounds in London, Manchester and Merseyside through our mentoring programme. In 2025, 300 young people are receiving free, year-long 1:1 mentoring from a trained AE volunteer working in their dream career. They receive tailored support e.g. goal-setting, professional introductions, workplace visits - designed to help them confidently take their next steps.
