ARTISTS in Keighley are being urged to safeguard their future by joining a national project.

Individuals and groups of artists can apply to join the Guild programme which aims to nurture the places where artists work and exhibit.

This could include artists who have studios, workshops and exhibition space at Keighley Creative Space, in the former Sunwin House and Home department store in Hanover Street.

East Street Arts, which manages Creative Space and supports its artists, is one of the leading lights of the Arts Council England-funded Guild.

The Guild will spend the next four years helping make ‘artist spaces’ across the England more resilient and sustainable in the current climate of limited public funding.

East Street Arts said the Guild would offer a chance for artists’ spaces, groups and collaboratives in Keighley to help “transform the landscape”.

The Guild will help embed such groups within their communities so they have a greater influence on political and social environments.

A spokesman said: “Working with 20 artists’ spaces across England, the programme will seek to address the challenges they face such as limited funding, resource and their tendency to experience burnout.”

“Support could include developing a business plan, securing funds for physical and organisational development, devising strategies and action plans to embed the groups firmly in their localities, and developing networks and contacts outside of the arts sector.

“There will be a series of master classes, networking opportunities, mentoring and research trips.”

The Guild will focus mostly on visual arts groups, which are more likely than other art forms to be self-led and self-managed.

The spokesman added: “The opportunity is open to new, small and emerging groups as well as more established enterprises.”

Visit eaststreetarts.org.uk/apply-to-guild for further information about how to get involved with the Guild.