Liverpool-based entrepreneur Shirley-Ann O’Neil says her venture set up to support visual artists is on track to turn over £250,000 this year. Tony McDonough reports

Shirley-Ann, whose background is in organising arts fairs, decided she wanted to reach out and support visual artists across the UK whose incomes took a hit from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Visual Artists Association (VAA) was set up in spring 2020.

She and co-founder Laura O’Hare have now grown the organisation, which employs six people. The VAA has now held more than 200 online events to help artists such as painters, sculptors, illustrators, ceramics, mixed media and photographers grow their micro businesses.

Since the VAA was founded it has seen more than 20,000 artists accessing its services and now has more than 60,000 followers on social media. Online events have included art cafes, micro-learning classes, an annual artists sales summit and a Graduate to Pro show.

It has secured a number of high-profile speakers from within the arts sector, including Matthew Burrows, Carne Griffiths, Emma Rodgers and Austin Kleon. There is also a mentorship programme with BBC art expert Karen van Hoey Smith.

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The VAA has also secured partnerships with commercial organisations including CASS Art, The Other Art Fair by Saatchi, Dell, as well as closely working with universities including the University of Chester and the London School of Art.

“We have grown the business with zero public funding,” Shirley-Ann told LBN. “We have privately funded the VAA to create the platform and community. We have opened a London base, and our income is generated from the sales of insurance services, memberships and mentorships.

“Our vision is to help artists to become successful financially and improve their livelihoods.  A personal highlight for me was seeing one of our members Helen Lack receive the VAA inaugural professional artists award and receive recognition from Charles Dowden, the then Culture Secretary.”