Sky backs the arts with funding for new projects and emerging artists

We are posting this as a) we were asked very nicely b) we tried to snaffle it all up for ourselves but they were having none of it! So here goes a total cut and paste job but worth a gander if you are looking for funds and profile…

Sky is to expand further its support for the arts in the UK and Ireland with the launch of a major new programme to support new arts projects and emerging artists. The programme involves the creation of a new arts fund, Sky Arts Ignition, with two distinct and complementary strands: The Sky Arts Ignition Series and Sky Arts Ignition: Futures Fund.

The Sky Arts Ignition Series will seek to collaborate with six arts organisations over the next three years in the creation of brand new works. For each of the chosen projects, Sky Arts will provide a cash investment of up to £200,000 and work with the arts partners to bring their projects to a wider audience, using Sky’s platform. The Series is the latest development in Sky’s ongoing commitment to broadening access to the arts across the country, and will represent an investment of over £1million.

The Sky Arts Ignition Series seeks to work closely with as yet unselected artists and arts organisations, in order to equip both organisations and broadcasters with a true understanding of each other’s process, combining their expertise to produce the best possible work and offering a unique support system in which to develop and produce brand new projects. Sky Arts, in partnership with the organisations, will determine how best Sky can give the project prominence on-air, on demand, online and on the ground, as well as providing marketing, publicity and new media support for each project.

Applications are now open at www.sky.com/skyartsignition. Further details of the Series are outlined on the site, along with full guidelines for entries.

In parallel, the Sky Arts Ignition: Futures Fund is designed to help young talent to bridge the development gap from school or college to becoming a working artist. Each year, the fund will support five individuals with a bursary of £30,000 each, enabling Sky Arts to back the creation of new works of art as well as nurture emerging talent.

The announcement of the funds is the latest step for Sky as an established supporter of the arts and follows on from the success of projects such as Antony’s Gormley’s One & Other, long running partnerships with organisations such as The Hay Festival and the recent publication of Building Innovative Arts Partnerships, a Sky Arts report exploring new models for corporate investment in the arts.

Jeremy Darroch, Sky’s Chief Executive, commented: “Sky has long been one of the biggest supporters of British art and British artists and we hope that this new initiative will come as a further, welcome boost to the arts industry. We’re confident the Sky Arts Ignition Series will open up new arts projects to millions of people across the nation.”

“We’re incredibly excited about taking our arts partnerships to the next level with the Sky Arts Ignition Series. This is the natural evolution to the work we’ve been doing on and off the screen for the past four years,” comments John Cassy, Director of Sky Arts.

“The arts are thriving creatively in the UK but money is tight, so if we can do our bit to help create new works and give them a platform, we’ll be happy. Applications are now open and we cannot wait to hear some of the ideas.”

Director Richard Eyre, who has supported and consulted on the development of the Sky Arts Ignition Series, noted: “This is an exemplary partnership between a broadcaster and the arts. I hope Sky’s model will be copied. It’s to everyone’s advantage.”