Funding for 12 month studio programme

I have been offered a place on the very first Turps Arts School Painting Programme in London and now I need to find a way to fund myself!

The Turps Arts School has been created by the founders of 'Turps Banana' - a quarterly painting publication based in London, and sold internationally. It is a "a magazine about painting, made predominately by painters" and has become a standard for intelligent critical painting discourse. After many years of establishing the magazine, the founders decided to embark on the extremely ambitious undertaking of founding their own Art School outside of the conventional art school structure.

The founders describe the aims of the Turps Art School is as follows:

"Peter Ashton Jones and Marcus Harvey have long held the view that an artist led painting school could flourish in a climate where there is growing disquiet about the quality of painting tuition, inadequate tutorial input and rise in tuition fees on too many established fine art courses.

The Editors feel it is time to respond to this in much the same way that a painting magazine run by practicing painters has fulfilled a need for many painters with a desire for intellectual stimulus and focus in this area."

The project is extremely courageous and innovative and I am immenseley proud to be asked to be involved in its very first year. 

The programme will be an intensive 12 months where 15 painters will be mentored by high profile contemporary artists, such as:

Marcus Harvey
Peter Ashton Jones

Anne Ryan
Daniel Coombs
Colin Smith

Jake Chapman
Dinos Chapman
Chantal Joffe
John Stezaker
Neal Tait
Dan Hays
Harland Miller
Covadonga Valdes
Dolly Tompset
Ryan Mosely
Ansel Krut
Nigel Cooke
Dawn Mellor
Phil Allen
Alexis Harding
Mali Morris
Matt Collings

About me and my practice

After graduating from Bath School of art and Design (2004, First Class Hons), I exhibited widely in Europe and the U.S. I then spent three years working in a studio in London and in 2010, i was selected for the Marmite Painting Prize. At this time I was awarded a residency in Berlin and upon completion I decided to relocate there permanently (I am now leaving Berlin to take part in the Turps programme)
During 3 years in Berlin I had my first two solo exhibitions, was selected for numerous group shows and have recently begun to curate a series of painting exhibitions, which will be a census of painting in Berlin now.
In 2012, as well as being offered a place on the Turps Painting Programme, I have been invited to be a part of ' 30 artists, 30 days ' at Studio 1.1, London.

Further bio information here.

The importance of funding

I propose to use the money raised to pay for studio fees and materials for the 12 month programme.

I am seeking sponsorship to assist my year at Turps Art School, to allow me
to dedicate my time wholly to the programme. Since hearing of my acceptance on to the Turps program, I have worked hard to try and secure funding, however in a difficult climate, when the institution is very bravely existing outside of a government-supported framework this is proving very challenging.  At the moment I envisage that I would have to work 40-70 hours per week to fund my fees to allow me to attend the programme. With funding, this time could be spent working in the studio.
Sponsorship would be unimaginably helpful to my participation - those who know me, know of my dedication to my practice and your support is crucial.

Thankyou in advance for your kindness. You're all good people.

best,

Ross

www.ross-walker.co.uk