Professional Development

Arts Advice Surgeries logo

 

Do you need help taking your artistic career to the next level?

Do you want to write a successful funding application?

Do you know how to use social media to effectively increase your audience?

 

 

Southwark Arts Forum runs bespoke, affordable one-to-one and small group advice sessions for creative practitioners. 

 

Previous sessions have helped participants source funding, write funding proposals, develop new projects, find creative solutions to problems and develop their career. The service is open to all and the advice can be given on any aspect of your work or career. Our expertise spans across the entire creative spectrum, from visual art to dance, community projects to commissions, theatre to ceramics.

 

The advice surgeries take place in a relaxed atmosphere in convenient locations across Southwark.

 

We offer advice on: 

 

Funding

General funding resources

Trusts and foundations

Sponsorships

Arts Council

Crowdfunding

 

Project development 

Supported brainstorming sessions (blue sky thinking)

Collective project advancement sessions (working through an idea with other arts professionals/artists)

Partnerships

Time management

 

Business support

Marketing and audience development

Intellectual Property

Budgeting

Long-term planning

Space hire information (exhibition spaces, studios)

 

Personal development

Help with finding an appropriate mentor/ support

Jobs search information

CV check-up

Time management

 

When choosing a topic for your advice session, we recommend that you carefully consider what you hope to gain from the session. You should plan to concentrate on only one topic per advice surgery. For advice on multiple issues, consider booking further sessions with a discounted price.

 

Fees

 

ADVICE SURGERIES

 

(90 minutes)

 

FULL MEMBERS*

 

per person

NON-MEMBERS/ SUBSCRIBERS*

 

per person

ONE-TO ONE

 

1 session

 

Further sessions

 

 

 

£25

 

10% discount

 

 

£50

 

10%

discount

IN A SMALL GROUP 

 

1 session

 

Further sessions

 

 

 

£10

 

10% discount

 

 

 

£35

 

10%

discount

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To find out more about SAF’s membership benefits and to become a full member click here

 

Booking and payment   

To book for an advice session:

1. Fill in the booking form and return it with your CV and other relevant documents to us at least two weeks before you wish to attend an advice session. 

 

2. We will get back to you and suggest/confirm a place and a time for a session.  

 

3. Pay for your session in order to reserve your appointment. You can pay for the session by Pay Pal, by cheque made payable to ‘Southwark Arts Forum’ or by bank transfer. Account number 20243371. Sort-code 086001, Reference AS.  Please do note we will not refund the fee if you cancel or do not attend a booked session. 

 

4. For discounted sessions you need to pay by cheque or BACS.

 

Available surgery options

 

For correspondence regarding Advise Sessions, please use advice@southwarkartsforum.org or Southwark Arts Forum,Unit J406 The Biscuit Factory, Tower Bridge Business Complex,100 Clements Road,London, SE16 4DG.

 


Free advice for members

 

As a SAF member you are welcome to drop us an email or give us a call at any time if you need some quick advice or signposting. You may simply want to briefly talk through a project idea with someone, or to get a tip off on some relevant contacts. We offer up to 10 minutes of free advice by phone to our members. We are friendly and always enjoy hearing from our members! Please note that all SAF staff work part time, so bear with us if you don’t hear back straight away.

 

 

 

Advice Session Testimonies

 

 “As a result of SAF, I have had the opportunity to take part in 4 major events and continue to make further contacts”. 

 

Really thorough and useful opportunity to talk through our organisation's needs” 

Very helpful advice on my funding application”

 

I set targets for my career development and personal motivation”

 

Better idea of the focus of my project and how to go forward”

 

Greater understanding of the key structures locally” 

 

              “What struck me about SAF is just how much it is run for its members – it is warm, informal and very friendly, it feels non-bureaucratic but about art and people”