The ‘Instruments of Hope’ Series of Relief Prints
...And now for something a little bit different!
My other half is an ardent gig-goer. In ordinary times, he’s out at gigs two, three or sometimes even more times a week.
He really missed seeing new and familiar artists at his favourite venues in 2020 and we knew many of those grassroots music venues were already struggling before the virus threw a massive spanner in the works.
So, for his birthday, I made him this print. I told him he could either:
a) own the only print ever, and I would destroy the plate afterwards (yes, I love him that much!) or...
b) he could have a print and I would sell the rest as an open edition and donate £5 from every sale to his favourite music venue(s).
“Better than that,” he said, “could it go to the Music Venue Trust?” At the time the MVT had just launched its Red List of 30 venues at imminent threat of permanent closure:
About Save Our Venues - The Red List
During the last 8 months, Music Venue Trust and Crowdfunder have worked together to prevent the closure of hundreds of grassroots music venues. With no end to the crisis in sight, we are now refocusing that work to spotlight those venues under most imminent threat of permanent closure. The #SaveOurVenues Red List highlights the grassroots music venues at most risk.
Right now.
We’ve checked all the available funding, financial support, furlough schemes, business support for these venues, and what is on offer is not enough to prevent them being lost. These 30 venues are on the Critical List and need your help.
These grassroots venues play a crucial role in the development of British music, nurturing local talent, providing a platform for artists to build their careers and develop their music and their performance skills. These venues also play a vital role in the cultural and economic vibrancy of any village, town or city.
Source: Crowdfunder website
Once I'd realised the scale of the task the MVT was facing, one print became two prints became three… and soon enough I'd put a whole band of prints together! We wanted to make sure that when everyone could get out gigging again, there were places to do it, so we hoped that the 'Instruments of Hope' series of prints would help the MVT support grassroots music venues.
[Updated because very happily:
On 21st June 2021 we successfully raised £109,693 ( + est. £5549.00 of gift aid) with 833 supporters in 223 days
Source: Crowdfunder website
Hurrah! Sadly the situation hasn’t improved and the MVT is still fundraising because “[t]he ongoing uncertainty in society means that grassroots music venues are dealing with lower audiences, cancellations, an increase in noise complaints and a huge amount of financial uncertainty. ” So I will keep selling these prints for as long as they’re needed.
Please head on over to the gallery page if you’d like to buy one, several, or the whole band of prints in the series. The donations come out of my profit and they are helping to keep grass roots music venues open.
Please Note: Donations to the Music Venue Trust will be made privately by me as an individual from sales of this print.