I am not seeking funding at this moment in time mereley inviting prospective investors to follow my work, to see my vision, to want to experience the following of an individuals dream, only then will I seek finances though at this moment in the hope that this funding will become available without my having to ask, to request, to beg even, follow this work and make a concious decision yourselves as to whether the viability or not exists, it is my time, it is your money and your choice.
Running tandem with any creative force must be the heavy weight of funding, financing and investment, the millstone around the artists neck and, despite not wishing to involve myself in this aspect of the project it is, at this stage so very necessary to consider and approach.
The overall picture of the project, that being 'The Real People', I have decided at this moment in time that the usual sources for funding are not really a part of what I am all about. it is all very well just being able to get the money, build the works and then sit back but, there has to be a consideration to the fact that working this way merely 'takes from one charity and gives to another', not really the idea that I had in mind.
As an artist I provide my works to charities without fees, to use as they see fit, be it through auctions of the works, used as a marketing tool, such as the British Legion suggest a recent donation to be used as a Christmas card design, or simply as a high profile piece through the media, it matters not to me except that the charities benefit from my donations.
As an alternative of using charity money such as Arts Council Grants or Lottery Grants I have decided to embark on a journey in other areas and have settled primarily upon seeking investment from Private individuals, I would rather see a plaque on my work suggesting that the funding came from a person who had an interest other than financial gain in supporting such artworks.
I have found a private sector wherin there are individuals known as 'Investment Angels' and provide funding in much the same manner as Televisions, 'Dragons Den' ; currently I have registered with several while I disapear with my Family for a few days of Christmas cheer in respite from the year before returning to the odious task of fundraising in the New Year.
http://www.cainuk.com/ This is a creative arts outlet that seeks to unite individuals with investors and have a particular interest in Film, this would fit in nicely with the Film Company in Northern Ireland with whom I have good contact.
http://www.bbaa.org.uk/ This is the address for the association of funding angels that keeps a database of individuals both seeking investment and seeking to invest, it was from here that I got the address for c.a.i.n.
http://www.konnects.com/ This is not so much an outlet for direct investment so much as a business networking site and could as easily assist in finding an investor through a third party
http://www.angelsden.co.uk/ is a company that organises a sort of speed dating system for bringing entrepeneurs together with investors, it is a service that one has to pay for and is not really the way that I would be able to go at the moment but may be useful in the future
http://www.angelinvestmentnetwork.co.uk/home This site has listings of investors world wide, I have not had time to read further into their page as yet but will be on the work load for the first day back in the New Year.
