We Need Your Help! As We Are’s Crowdfunding Campaign

As We Are is currently experiencing a financial crisis with the recent loss of core funding from our primary sponsor*.  This major funding cut has meant a time of consolidation or scaling-back for As We Are and poses a very real threat to As We Are’s continued existence.

As We Are was initiated in 2002 as a one-off art award and exhibition and has grown to become a prestigious and significant event on the WA arts calendar. In these 17 years, As We Are has also expanded to include a number of initiatives aimed at recognising and valuing the creative expression of WA artists who have an intellectual disability & their contribution to the WA arts & broader community. Initiatives including: a quarterly newsletter, select exhibitions & pop-up art shops, a Disability & the Arts Network and respective annual Forum, and children & adult art workshops to name but a few.  Unfortunately all this however is at risk of being lost.

But we are extremely hopeful! We have recently met with Lotterywest and have been encouraged to submit a funding application to ensure this year’s As We Are Art Award goes ahead, as well as seeking funding to undertake a feasibility study to identify As We Are’s best path and strategies going forward.  At best, this process will take a minimum of four to five months.

Funding of As We Are’s current operation is due to cease at the end of this month, leaving us with a gap in financial and human resources. Resources required to prepare the Lotterywest application as well as ensure the continued organisation of the 2019 As We Are Art Award.

We know As We Are has a huge and committed base of artists & supporters and we would like to take this time to ask each of you, if you are able, to help in making a financial contribution to our GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign https://www.gofundme.com/asweare

Your support will help to ensure this year’s Art Award & Exhibition goes ahead as well as the continuity of As We Are into the future. Big or small, each donation will make a huge difference.

We will be sure to do our very best in securing a future for As We Are, but we urgently need your help to do so.

Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts, Rosie & Susie

* Nulsen Disability Services have been a major sponsor of As We Are for more than ten years. Unfortunately they are unable to recommit their annual sponsorship due to increased costs for them to engage with the recently introduced National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Nulsen have committed to provide in-kind support to As We Are however including office accommodation.