On Sunday 11th May, our IGNITE cohort came together at the beautifully atmospheric Find – Space, nestled in the courtyard of Ampthill Antiques Emporium, for the second workshop in the year-long mentoring programme. This session focused on a topic that many emerging artists identified as a top priority: finances and funding as a creative freelancer.

The day kicked off with an empowering session from Nathan Curry, Co-Artistic Director of Tangled Feet. Nathan provided a clear and accessible introduction to Arts Council funding, offering insights into how to approach funding applications and build confidence in navigating the process. He demystified what can often feel like a daunting system, setting a solid foundation for the day.

Following that, Jonathan Ellicott, Tangled Feet’s Director of Fundraising, took us even deeper. His session focused on the core elements of strong funding applications - understanding how to articulate the problem, offer your creative solution, outline the impact, and end with a compelling call to action. Participants were guided through real, practical steps to begin aligning their work with funders’ priorities and crafting their case for support.

The third segment of the day was led by Aimee Gomez, Tangled Feet’s Community Producer. Aimee explored ways to turn creative work into sustainable revenue streams. From identifying untapped networks to reimagining where and how your practice can work, the session opened up new possibilities for how artists can grow their income and visibility. Artists were encouraged to think expansively and strategically about their creative futures.

To close the day, participants had the opportunity to regroup with their programme buddy and spend one-on-one time with Nathan, Jonathan, and Aimee. This invaluable time allowed for bespoke advice tailored to each artist’s individual practice, resulting in an **actionable plan** to move forward with clarity and confidence.

This second IGNITE workshop was a powerful reminder that financial sustainability and creativity are not at odds—they can (and must) go hand in hand. We left the space feeling motivated, better equipped, and more connected than ever as a community of artists building lasting, resilient careers.

Keep following our journey as we continue to grow, learn, and ignite new ideas together. More updates and stories from our amazing participants are coming soon on our social media channels. Be sure to follow @tangledfeet for updates on how the program unfolds.