Inaugural Ignite Fund Launches

Since early 2017, Tickets Ignite has been selling tickets for live events with organisers including Made by Katie Green, Bristol Shakespeare Festival, and Chinese Arts Now. But connecting audiences with some of the most exciting events around is only part of their mission. They're also out to revolutionise arts funding, by taking the money lost to the ticketing industry through booking fees, and channelling it back into the arts via the Ignite Fund.

Two funds of £1000 are open for application from any artists or organisations who have been involved in an event ticketed through Tickets Ignite over the past 18 months. They can be an artist, a designer, a producer, a stage manager - all are welcome.

The applications will be reviewed by a panel of industry experts, including New Diorama Theatre Artistic Director - David Byrne, independent Producer - Vicky Graham, and Midlands based In Good Company Creative Producer - Ben Anderson.

Co-founder Emily Thommes says of the fund:

"We are so proud to be opening our first Ignite Fund. This is a huge moment for us and follows a lot of hard work! We launched Tickets Ignite almost two years ago in reaction to the crisis of funding in the arts. This feels like a small but significant step towards reshaping the ticketing industry to better serve the arts."

Singer, writer and cabaret performer Cat Loud says of her use of the platform:

"Tickets Ignite is a site that makes everyone a winner, from audiences who don't want large booking fees, to artists who can't afford them. As an ethos, I feel like the necessary evil is transformed into a pay-it-forward initiative that I and other artists can benefit from."

Tickets Ignite was conceived by theatre producer Emily Thommes and lighting designer & software engineer Oscar Wyatt. They started Tickets Ignite when they were both freelance theatre makers, trying to make ends meet while creating work that excited them. It's their ambition to work with the creative sector to rethink ticketing in order to build a more financially sustainable future for the arts.

The Ignite Fund will continue to provide funding for the arts, with new rounds continuing to open. As the company grows, so will the number and size of funds available.

www.ticketsignite.com/funding

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