OUR IMPACT
Short Supply exists to turn creative potential into sustainable creative careers.
Our impact is measured not just in participation, but in paid work, skills gained, and long-term viability for early-career artists.
We focus on outcomes that matter: who gets access, who gets paid, and who is able to stay working in the creative industries
The majority of artists we work with are people who are systematically underrepresented in the creative industries.
This includes:
-
Artists from working‑class backgrounds
-
Artists based outside London
-
Queer, disabled, and marginalised creatives
-
Early‑career artists navigating the gap between education and paid work
We design our programmes to be low‑barrier, transparent, and accessible — recognising that talent is evenly distributed,
but opportunity is not.
Who We Reach
What Changes Because of Our Work
Our programmes are designed to create tangible shifts in artists’ careers. Across our activity, we consistently see:
-
Increased confidence in pricing, contracts, and negotiation
-
New paid commissions, exhibitions, or freelance work within six months
-
Stronger professional networks and industry visibility
-
Reduced reliance on unpaid labour
Post‑programme feedback shows that the majority of participants go on to secure paid creative work as a direct result of engaging with Short Supply.
Programmes
Driving Impact
ShortCut Sessions
Skills‑focused training supporting artists to build sustainable creative careers. Sessions cover pricing, marketing, funding, contracts, and professional development.
MADE IT Graduate Art Prize
A national platform for emerging artists that provides paid opportunities, visibility, and professional recognition at a critical early career stage.
Exhibitions, Commissions and Opportunities
We deliver exhibitions and commissions that prioritise fair pay, transparent selection processes, and long‑term artist development.
“Short Supply helped me understand how to value my work properly. Within months I had my first paid commission and the confidence to say no to unpaid opportunities.”
— Emily, Artist & Programme participant, Liverpool
Looking Ahead
Our ambition is to scale this impact nationally — building a recognised alternative pathway into the creative industries that does not depend on location, privilege, or unpaid labour.
By investing in artists as workers and creative professionals, we believe the sector — and the economy around it — becomes stronger, fairer, and more resilient.