Collage Voices is dedicated to creating platforms for voices not traditionally heard and widening opportunities into the professional creative industries.
We support a large body of young emerging artists who face ever growing barriers into those industries due to a constant diminishing of open pathways and high quality affordable training. This group is highly diverse across cultural and economic backgrounds, as well as, gender, faith and social identities. A group that in reality, truly reflects the London communities we sit in.
However, community arts does not mean less. The standard of the work this group engages in is at a level that matches anywhere else. Our weekend classes costs only £2.50 but the tutors are all regulars drawn from London's top drama school institutions. Many of the emerging artists are looking to break into the industry whilst others are looking to progress into professional training. In the last two years Collage Voices have supported over 30 of our students into gaining successful places at all of London's leading drama schools as well as institutions nationally and internationally. In addition, numerous students have gained representation through our showcases. Clearly there is a need, but still a lack of fully supported pathways.
This lack of pathways, including cuts in arts access courses for 16 - 19yrs and widespread reductions of arts provisions in schools means an ever thinning of those that face additional challenges. This will ultimately effect the very fabric of our creative industries and how they represent and reflect us as a society. So, we at Collage Arts believe not just in the support of our young artists but the importance of protecting one of our countries major industries and the richness that all members of our communities can bring. But we need help. Money, resources, contacts and opportunities are limited and currently do not match the ever growing need we are experiencing. Can you help? If so I would welcome a conversation on how we can give our next generation of artists every chance to be the best they can be.
Please contact me on steve@collage-arts.org
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