Axisweb secures £100,000 funding from Innovate UK

Published: 02 September 2016


We’re delighted to announce that Axisweb [1] has been successful in securing almost £100,000 the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) to support a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) [3] with Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU).

The funding enables Axisweb to build on our research Validation beyond the gallery [2] and recent projects such as those with Heart of Glass and Mozilla Foundation. Under the guidance of Dr Amanda Ravetz and Dr David Woollard at MMU, the action research project will explore and test models of validation for socially engaged practice that will champion the role of the artist and their value in society, enhance engagement and underpin the transformation of Axisweb into a sustainable, self-financing charity.

Recruitment for a Research and Development Associate will commence in the next few weeks.

Quote from Mark Smith, Executive Director Axisweb
By building a story of what artists do from different perspectives, we will help increase the understanding of what artists do, providing the basis for exploring and shaping new realities.

This project is bigger than the transformational impact on Axisweb. It’s about artists and the people they work with and how through collaboration we enable and build sustainable long term progressive relationships.

Quote from Patrick Fox, Director of Heart of Glass and Axisweb Trustee
This needs to happen! Increasingly artists don’t need or want validation within the existing structures, but an alternative way to support them to continue making work. This is a hugely ambitious and exciting project and will make a vital contribution to the sector and this field of practice.

Quote from Dr Amanda Ravetz, Senior Research Fellow, Manchester School of Art
Manchester School of Art at MMU is excited to be working with Axisweb on finding ways to validate artists 'beyond the gallery'. We want to make a positive contribution to this field of practice - to the communities who get involved, to the artists whose value is sometimes misunderstood and to the commissioners and funders who support this work. Everyone needs to have a voice.


1. Axisweb is a charity with a purpose to advance the education of the public by developing understanding and appreciation of artists. Working with members and partners to promote artists, champion their talents and create new opportunities.

2. Dr Lucy Wright and Dr Amanda Ravetz MIRIAD / Manchester School of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University (2015) How do artists working outside of the gallery system receive validation of their practice?

3. This Knowledge Transfer Partnership is managed by Innovate UK, with the Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) acting as sponsors. The Councils are part of UK Research and Innovation.

Author: Axisweb

Share this

< Suppliers Listing September 2016 Suppliers Listing September 2016 >