AA2A (Artists Access to Art Colleges) are currently inviting approaches from new universities and colleges interested in hosting between four and six placements for visual artists and designers (smaller institutions can apply for a ‘Mini’ scheme hosting just two placements). There’s a discount for new hosts if booked before 1st July and paid by 31st Dec. Creatives, chosen by the host HEI, give talks, demos etc. in exchange for access to facilities. AA2A provides and manages a fund for those on low incomes.
A big part of hosting a scheme is the employability support offered. The resources that come as part of the package aim to increase student knowledge of self-employment so they feel prepared to take on the challenge of working for themselves. AA2A provides a suite of eight videos with a single, searchable index to take you straight to the exact content you’re looking for. They also produce six specialist seminars and a bespoke digital pack and presentations on self-employment for their hosts.
Following a successful pilot year, AA2A will continue their offer to build up and manage a GDPR-compliant mailing list of students, graduates and artists for each institution. This ‘Creative Support Group’ will be sent bi-monthly bulletins themed around self-employment and can include information from the host HEI to help build links with their graduate community.
As a funded Arts Council England ‘IP’ Support Organisation, AA2A are able to offer schemes to host HEIs at a greatly subsidised rate. Contact: aa2aproject@gmail.com