Hello!
I’m hoping, as you are here, like me you are a creative thinker. You’re working as an artist, performer, photographer, musician, producer… the list goes on. I’m not going to try and include everyone.
You’ve got loads of ideas. People love what you do, but it’s hard to get the balance right. You feel like you’re not doing things ‘properly’ – whatever that is!
When it comes to writing funding applications and getting your business running smoothly you find that the available support doesn’t really work for you.
I’m Manda Graham, and I believe that the only way to run a successful creative business is to build it with you at the centre. To do this it’s vital to focus on how you make money and that it allows you time and space to do the things that are important to you. You have made it this far, you have many of the tools you need to succeed already.
OK, a bit about me
I’ve been working in the arts events sector in the UK since 1999, that’s over 20 years ago (blimey!). So, I’ve worked with loads of creatives and delivered a huge number of cross artform projects, large and small. So, I know how to run projects, write funding bids and do all sorts of things that may, or may not be useful but that I’m more than happy to share.
So, where did I start? I’m a bit of a chameleon, with a background in arts, heritage and science. I went to Hereford College of Art and then went on to do a science degree in Heritage Conservation at Bournemouth University.
I started my career curating exhibitions and running events at Highcliffe Castle a fab historic house on a cliff-top in Dorset, delivering a programme of arts and heritage activities, car parking and doing anything that needed doing. In 2005, I moved to Worcestershire to join Malvern Hills District Council as the Arts Development Officer. Then in 2013, I joined Shropshire NPO, Meadow Arts and launched my business as a freelance producer. Three years later, Equal Vision CIC was born and I became full-time self-employed.
Equal Vision is where I do my creative thing with a small but brilliant team. Since 2017, we’ve been developing a new creative approach to careers, the Curiosity Museum. Our dream is that it will give us an stable income stream allowing us to build more creative programmes and change more people’s lives.
I love what I do. Though now that I work for myself, I’ve gone a bit feral. I can’t believe that I ever had just one job and worked for one organisation at a time!
My passion for the power of creativity is the centre of everything I do. I love supporting other creative people to focus and build thriving businesses that will enable them to achieve their ambitions, live and do the things they love doing!
Here’s how I can help you
Fund Your Project
You’ll have expert support from me to write YOUR BEST application to help you secure funding to take the next step on your creative journey!
Business Coaching for Creatives
I’ll help you to focus, create a personalised plan and build a toolkit to get past whatever is stopping you and get your business (and life) on track.