Arts Emergency

Arts Emergency is a British charity working with 16- to 19-year-olds in further education from diverse backgrounds. They work with those most able to benefit from, but least able to access higher education in the Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences.

Arts Emergency
Founded2011
FoundersJosie Long, Neil Griffiths[1]
FocusCharity
Location
Area served
United Kingdom
Key people
16- to 24-year-olds
Employees
1
Volunteers
500+
Websitearts-emergency.org

History

In response to increasing tuition fees[2] and the abolition of public funding for the teaching of arts subjects in British universities,[3] the charity was co-founded in 2011 by comedian Josie Long and campaigner Neil Griffiths.[4] They launched with an event at the Hackney Empire in the London borough that hosted their pilot project in 2012.[5][6][7]

Work

They run a national "alternative" Old Boy Network[8] that aims to create privilege for people without privilege and counter the myth that universities, and in particular arts degrees, are the domain of the middle and upper classes. Their volunteers come from TV, film, music, art, fashion, academia, law, architecture, activism, comedy, social work, journalism, publishing, design, activism and theatre.

Members include the journalists Polly Toynbee and Laurie Penny; artist duo Jake & Dinos Chapman, authors Neil Gaiman and Alan Moore, poet Scroobius Pip, comedians Stephen K Amos, Stewart Lee and Shappi Khorsandi.[9] Working with a trained mentor for one year, students pursue a personal goal and explore options in Higher Education and the creative and professional worlds. Longer term, they are able to access information, advice and guidance through the Charity's volunteer network.

The organisation set up a base in Newcastle upon Tyne in 2015.[10]

References
  1. Gibson, Robert. "Arts Emergency – mentoring for young creatives". Arts Professional. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  2. "University applications drop as tuition fees triple - Education - News - London Evening Standard". Standard.co.uk. 2012-08-09. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
  3. Richardson, Hannah (2010-10-26). "BBC News - Humanities to lose English universities teaching grant". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
  4. "Who's top dog? Fundraising's 50 Most Influential 2013". Civilsociety.co.uk. 2013-07-01. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
  5. "Shows : Arts Emergency". Hackneyempire.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2013-10-30. Retrieved 2013-10-29.
  6. Emma Bartholemew (2013-06-18). "Hackney Empire comedy night to raise funds for Josie Long's charity Arts Emergency". Hackney Gazette. Retrieved 2013-10-27.
  7. Bruce Dessau (2013-06-11). "Josie Long: London's Lena Dunham - Comedy - Going Out - London Evening Standard". Standard.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
  8. "Join | Arts Emergency". E-activist.com. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
  9. "Media Diversity UK". E-activist.com. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
  10. Snow, Georgia (1 May 2015). "Youth charity Arts Emergency sets up Newcastle base". The Stage. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
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