Tell us about your experience with Arts Emergency
My experience with Arts Emergency started in 2021. During Covid, I had a really difficult time - I didn’t properly sit my GCSEs, though I did eventually get them. My best grades were in art, so I decided to go to college to study art and design, mainly because it was something I enjoyed, though I didn’t really expect it to go anywhere.
At college, they suggested I apply for an Arts Emergency mentor. The mentoring team asked me what I was interested in, and I said I liked comics and drawing - I didn’t think that could ever be a real job but I was matched with David, an illustrator who actually draws comics.
My mentor was so kind and understanding. We met monthly for a year, and he was incredibly helpful. He taught me what being an illustrator really involves - how they work with articles, how to respond to briefs, and even gave me mock projects to practise with. I also got work experience through Arts Emergency and got the opportunity to work in the industry.
David encouraged me to apply for university and helped me build my portfolio - literally sitting down with me, going through my work, and helping me put it all together. Thanks to his support, I got into university!
Honestly, I 100% would not be where I am now without my mentor, we still meet every few months to catch up and talk about illustration. Before joining the mentoring programme, I didn’t really know what illustration was, and I never thought I’d make it to university. Arts Emergency has given me the chance to develop my craft, gain real insight into the industry, and get the guidance I need to grow as an illustrator.
My mentor encouraged me to apply for university and helped me build my portfolio. He literally sat down with me, went through my work, and helped me put it all together.
Aisha, former mentee and current Young Community member
Honestly, I 100% would not be where I am now without my mentor, we still meet every few months to catch up and talk about illustration. Before joining the mentoring programme, I didn’t really know what illustration was, and I never thought I’d make it to university. Arts Emergency has given me the chance to develop my craft, gain real insight into the industry, and get the guidance I need to grow as an illustrator.
What opportunities have you had with Arts Emergency?
I’ve had several amazing opportunities through Arts Emergency.
Being matched with a mentor - a professional illustrator has given me insight into what it’s really like to work in the industry.
I also got to do work experience with a creative agency called Think Artfully, which gave me the chance to see how illustration fits into a professional studio environment. It was a great opportunity to understand how illustrators collaborate with clients and agencies.
Arts Emergency also helped me get practical resources like a light box - something that’s been incredibly useful for developing my artwork and experimenting with new techniques.
Why did you apply for The Other Art Fair assistant role?
I applied for the assistant role because I’m curious about how art fairs work. It’s not something you can easily learn about without actually being there and experiencing it.
I don’t yet feel confident about marketing or selling my own work, or even talking to strangers about it, so I thought this would be a great way to gain that experience in a more relaxed way. By helping out rather than running my own stall, I can learn how art fairs operate, how artists present themselves, and how they connect with people without the pressure of showcasing my own work.
I know that a lot of illustrators sell their work through art fairs, and I realised it’s not just about making sales - it’s about getting your work seen, meeting people, and building connections. That’s something I really want to understand better before I start doing it myself.
Another reason I applied is that this is a paid opportunity, most of the work experience I’ve been doing is voluntary which can make it costly. I think it’ll be a really valuable experience for developing both my confidence and my understanding of the creative industry.
Honestly, I 100% would not be where I am now without my mentor.
Aisha, former mentee and current Young Community member
What were you hoping to get from the role at The Other Art Fair?
I wanted to see how other artists operate and get a sense of the wider art world, since I don’t have many connections to it. I was curious about how artists present and sell their work, but at first I was hesitant to speak to them, assuming they’d be too focused on selling.
When I did start talking to them, they were really friendly and generous with advice. I learned about their journeys, challenges, and career paths. The experience helped me feel more confident engaging with artists and gave me insight into how to navigate the art world myself.
What did you do during The Other Art Fair?
During the fair, I assisted in a variety of ways. I talked to artists and visitors, ran the drawing board, and curated the display, including illustrations for signs. I also helped with taking sales and engaging the public by sharing my own journey and experiences with AE, encouraging donations, and connecting discussions about working for free to the support AE provides. Overall, I tried to make the space welcoming, interactive, and informative for both artists and visitors.
What was your favourite part?
My favourite part was speaking directly to industry professionals and getting advice that isn’t easily accessible. It was really valuable to hear what they did and the steps they took in their careers.
What did you learn / get out of the experience? Do you feel it’s improved your knowledge of pathways?
Yes, the experience taught me a lot and definitely improved my understanding of different pathways. One thing I realised is that I prefer illustration to fine art, as I want my work to be accessible to more people. Learning how art fairs operate gave me insight into how I could take part in illustration-focused fairs in the future.