Stand-up comedian, Josie Long, is delighted to announce the formation of her new charity, Arts Emergency Service, a dynamic and distinct organisation that will campaign and drive to keep subjects in the Arts and Humanities accessible to all, regardless of the barriers. No Sweat fundraiser and campaigner, Neil Griffiths, has been named as the charity’s CEO.
Josie Long says: “˜I believe an arts degree is not a luxury and the decision to study for any degree should be based on talent and passion rather than a financial trade-off between debt and future earnings.’ Arts Emergency Service will champion the study of Arts and Humanities at higher education and support students of these subjects in three ways:
Building Networks
Building national, online and local networks of support is the next aim of Arts Emergency Service. Working closely with Higher Education and Further Education institutions, the charity will provide a unique support structure for current and prospective Arts and Humanities students who may be struggling emotionally, financially and practically to study.
Mentoring
The charity will also provide a dedicated online mentoring service for current and prospective Arts and Humanities students. Mentoring will be free and available to eligible students, so that no-one is left to struggle alone. Arts Emergency Service is setting up a website jam-packed with additional resources and information that will help students in the Arts and Humanities.
Fundraising
Arts Emergency Service is fundraising for a national BA Hero‘ fund to enable talented, disadvantaged students to continue their studies in the Arts and Humanities, despite obstacles such as lack of familial support, prohibitive debt and confusing repayment structures. In 2012, the charity will offer financial assistance to struggling BA students. 2011 will see Arts Emergency Service campaigning for support to grow this fund in order to help as many people as possible continue studying the Arts and Humanities.
Josie Long says: “˜Degrees in the Arts and Humanities provide society with adults who have skills to think critically and communicate sensitively and articulately. Arts Emergency Service will protect the important linchpin that Arts and Humanities degrees represent and give students the backing and confidence to pursue the subject that they are most passionate about.’
Neil Griffiths says: “˜I am proud to play my part in such an engaging and vital new campaign. I want to ensure that the Arts Emergency Service contributes to the continuation of our rich and profoundly important tradition of artistic and humanistic study in the UK. The Arts and Humanities are open to all to engage with, therein lies their strength and value. We aim to ensure every talented student, regardless of personal circumstance, feels able to study something they are passionate about and pursue that study through the highest levels.’
To find out more visit the Arts Emergency Service website, follow them on Twitter or join the group on Facebook.
