Blueprint Begins Phase Two!

14th October 2022

Blueprint Begins
Phase Two!

Blog by Sarah Jones, Blueprint Programme Manager.

It’s autumn, traditionally a time for change and transformation, which is fitting as there are exciting changes ahead for our Blueprint programme as we progress onto Phase Two…

I have been managing the Blueprint programme since we started in Jan 2022 and last week, I had the privilege of welcoming 17 arts organsiations as they started on to the next stage of the Blueprint journey. Phase Two will run over the next four years and it’s incredibly exciting, for me personally and the wider team at A&BNI, to see the programme progress as we have big ambitions for its future.

What is Blueprint?

If you haven’t encountered Blueprint before, it’s A&BNI’s truly radical programme, which supports a network of arts and cultural organisations and will provide direct investment in the arts sector in Northern Ireland. At the heart of the programme, we are looking to provide a catalyst for change during an incredibly challenging time for arts organisations in NI.

Blueprint focuses on income growth and strengthening the long-term financial sustainability of the arts sector. Phase One ran from Jan – June 2022 and during the first six months of Blueprint, 30 organisations across the cultural sector participated in training which aimed to lay the foundations for building-long term financial strength. Participating arts organisations had access to workshops, one-to-one mentoring and learning resources. Following the challenges of the pandemic it was incredible to see the energy of everyone back in a room together looking to the future. Phase One ended with a presentation day and it was so inspiring to see the ambition of everyone and the impactful change they aspire to.

The organisations taking part in Phase Two will have access to investment grants of up to £30,000 over the next year and a development programme which sits alongside the grants, which focuses on building sustainability across all elements of the organisation. This will include tailored workshops on business models and creative resilience, leadership, governance and effective boards as well as financial knowledge and development. This is all underpinned by continued mentorship, the opportunity to undertake accredited qualifications and facilitated peer support.

While Phase two is continuing with 17 organisations currently receiving investment grants, all organisations originally involved will continue to have access to the development programme. It is our ambition that Blueprint will continue to offer additional support and opportunities to those who are ambitious and engaged with the principles of the programme.

Meet the organisations taking part in Phase Two

The Blueprint Programme asks organisations to look at all elements of their work to find the change that will make them more financially resilient and allow them to develop. For some that will be commercialisation of a product, increasing capacity or the development of an area of work which has already shown potential. The ultimate aim of Blueprint is to help the organisations involved to develop a stability which will allow them to do more of what they are incredible at; developing and showcasing art and creativity, to the benefit of us all.

The organisations taking part have already approached Blueprint with an energy which is positive, forward looking and are excited by their own potential both individually and as a collective. Blueprint will allow them to explore this potential in new ways and I cannot wait to see what this will mean for them all over the next four years.

If you’d like to find out more about the Blueprint programme and our funders click here.