Charity: Arts Emergency

Arts Emergency steps in where society fails young people. Through mentoring, connections and relentless optimism, it opens the gates to arts and culture to everyone. Someone from privilege is four times more likely to succeed in the cultural and creative sectors than someone from a working class background. Young people with disabilities, or those who come from ethnic minority backgrounds are even less likely to work in creative fields. This hasn’t changed since the 1980s. Arts Emergency exists to break this cycle of inequality. Founded in 2013 by activist Neil Griffiths and comedian Josie Long, Arts Emergency was created as an “Alternative Old Boys’ Network”, a movement entirely and authentically powered by people. Its network of 11,000+ professionals from across arts, media, culture and the creative industries volunteer their time, knowledge and encouragement to support a more equitable future for under-resourced young people. Since its formation, Arts Emergency has supported more than 2,000 young people across the UK to pursue their ambitions in arts and culture and build a life that they truly want.