Business Action | Autumn 2022
Autumn 2022 issue of the independent North Devon-based business magazine covering news on business and enterprise in the area. This issue includes the event guide to BBxpo exhibition in Bideford, local business resources and other business news.
Autumn 2022 issue of the independent North Devon-based business magazine covering news on business and enterprise in the area. This issue includes the event guide to BBxpo exhibition in Bideford, local business resources and other business news.
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HEADER<br />
Art Makers<br />
Taking North Devon art worldwide<br />
It may sound like a cliché to<br />
describeartistsasstruggling,<br />
butresearchbyHilaryBeecroft<br />
andPhilParkerofInstowhas<br />
identifiedsome400artistsin<br />
NorthDevonwholostalltheir<br />
incomeduringthepandemic.<br />
HilaryandPhilarenow<br />
drawingontheirconsiderable<br />
experienceintheartstocreate<br />
practicalsupporttohelpthe<br />
area’sartistsdeveloptheir<br />
businessestoincreaseincome.<br />
Hilaryhasexperienceasa<br />
landscapearchitect,researcher,<br />
photographer,organiser<br />
andartlover,whilePhil’s<br />
achievementsincludefounding<br />
themostsuccessfulMA<br />
screenwritingcourseintheUK<br />
andsetuptheUK/Skillset’s<br />
nationaltrainingprogramme.<br />
Thecouplebegantoapply<br />
thisformidableexperienceand<br />
expertisetohelplocalartists<br />
whenthepandemicstruckand<br />
submittedasuccessfulbidto<br />
theInnovateUKCovid<br />
Sustainabilitygrantscheme.<br />
£5 million local market<br />
Theirfirststepwastoresearch<br />
theartistcommunity,which<br />
nationalstatisticssuggested<br />
was100-strong,butwhichthey<br />
foundtobeatleastfourtimes<br />
bigger.Theyalsoestimatedthat<br />
artistsgeneratesome£1.2<br />
millionforthelocaleconomy<br />
annuallyandthatwiththeright<br />
supportthiscouldincreaseto<br />
asmuchas£5million.<br />
Theirfindingsalsorevealed<br />
thatathirdofartistsdidnot<br />
haveawebsite,almostnone<br />
hadappliedforgrants,60%<br />
werenotcomfortableusing<br />
socialmediaandveryfewhad<br />
receiveddigitalskillstraining.<br />
HilaryandPhil’sresponse<br />
wastolaunchArtMakersin<br />
October2021.ArtMakers’main<br />
focusistocreatemethodsof<br />
‘gettingworkseen’andprovide<br />
easyaccesstosourcesof<br />
information,supportand<br />
trainingallinoneplaceonits<br />
websiteatartmakers.co.uk<br />
Akeypartofthesiteisthe<br />
onlinegallerywhereartistscan<br />
selltheirwork.Thisisthefirst<br />
UKregionalvirtualgalleryand<br />
initsfirstsixmonthsattracted<br />
80artists,withmorethan110<br />
artistsnowsellingtheirwork<br />
onthesite.<br />
Regional movement<br />
BetweenNovemberandMarch,<br />
ArtMakershostedthreevirtual<br />
exhibitionsasexperiments.<br />
ThishasledtoNewAtlantic<br />
Wave@AppledoreBook<br />
Festival,acontemporarytake<br />
onBritishlandscapes,atSt<br />
Mary’sChurchHall,Appledore<br />
inSeptemberandinavirtual<br />
galleryonlineuntil30October.<br />
Theintentionistogive<br />
NorthDevonanewvisual<br />
referencepointandtocreatea<br />
regionalmovementofnational<br />
significance.<br />
“Thereisrealgrowth<br />
potential,”saysPhil.“Itbrings<br />
incomeintothecommunity<br />
becausesaleswillbeoutofthe<br />
area.Wearegoingtotarget<br />
secondhomeownersand<br />
holidayletcompanies,andhave<br />
abigpushinternationallyon<br />
socialmedia.”<br />
Sell and buy art<br />
Artistscansignuptoselltheir<br />
artandaccesssupportwitha<br />
rangeoffreeandpaid<br />
memberships.Supportincludes<br />
accesstocourses,marketing<br />
healthcheck,informationon<br />
funding,usefularticlesand<br />
communitychatroom.<br />
Buyerscanexplorethe<br />
worksofartistsinthevirtual<br />
galleryandpurchasepaintings,<br />
photography,sculpture,<br />
jewelleryandmore.<br />
■ Detailsartmakers.co.uk<br />
@businessactionm | <strong>Autumn</strong> <strong>2022</strong> | business action 5
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