Artsadmin

rdf:langString Artsadmin

rdf:langString Judith Knight and Seonaid Stewart

rdf:langString London

rdf:langString Toynbee Studios

rdf:langString Artsadmin is a UK-based organisation founded in 1979 by , MBE and , providing project management, producing, support and resources for artists working in the fields of performance, dance, live art and mixed media work. They became increasingly aware of the lack of producing and administrative support for independent artists and companies, and set up Artsadmin as a reaction to this. Early partners included Hesitate and Demonstrate, Mike Figgis, Pip Simmons, Welfare State International, Smith and Goody and Natasha Morgan amongst others. They established a strong relationship with the Mickery Theater Amsterdam which provided a gateway to the rest of Europe, and many projects were subsequently co-produced in partnership with European theatres and festivals. Support from UK trusts and foundations enabled Artsadmin to provide forward-looking management that could sustain companies between projects to develop their work, and the company first received Arts Council funding in 1984. The organisation is still funded predominantly through a National Portfolio Organisation grant. Artsadmin continued to increase its portfolio to include companies and artists such Station House Opera, Amy Sharrocks, Rosemary Lee, Larry Achiampong, Stacy Makishi, Nic Green, Impact Theatre Co-operative, DV8, the Bow Gamelan Ensemble, Selina Thompson and others, establishing relationships with many which have continued to the present day. In 1998 Artsadmin set up its bursary scheme. The aim of the scheme was to provide support for artistic research and process, providing flexibility according to each artist’s ideas. This was also the year that the free advisory service for artists was established. In 1995 Artsadmin moved from a tiny office in Clerkenwell to Toynbee Studios, an old drama school in London’s East End. Artsadmin was now able to offer artists space to develop work: rehearsal spaces, video resources and performance opportunities. Artsadmin remains at Toynbee Studios to this day. The building was refurbished in 2006 and includes six rehearsal and performance spaces, eight office spaces occupied by artists, companies and arts organisations, and an Artsadmin Canteen. Directors Gil Lloyd and Judith Knight received MBEs for their services to the arts in the New Years Honours 2008. Gill Lloyd left Artsadmin after 32 years and Deborah Chadbourn joined Artsadmin as Executive Director in 2018. Artsadmin celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2019 and Judith Knight stepped down as Director after 40 years, with Róise Goan joining as Artistic Director. Ben Cooper-Melchiors joined as Executive Director in January 2022.