Artists' Exchange Programme
The newly launched Care Collective, the home of nurture, action, and a radical vision for care at the heart of our artistic lives, is an expanded offer, with care and support offered in peer circles and one-to-one coaching sessions, held artfully by Danielle. In the Care Collective we come together in non-judgement, with presence, alongside others and ourselves, with value placed on every contribution.
The Artists’ Exchange Programme is an artist-led initiative from Danielle Jones.
Designed with and for artists, this programme draws on the collective skills and experience of those in attendance, to develop a rich dialogue and meaningful exploration together.
The popular AEP Skills Exchange brings artists together in a democratic space for a two-day offering, sharing practical explorations, provocations, and connectedness, and interrogating themes such as artistic integrity, communication, value, and self-significance.
This innovative programme will enable your artistic voice to be heard and introduce you to a strong and supportive network.
“I think it has possibly only been on the Clore programme before this that I have felt so supported to take risks in/challenge my thinking. This week felt like time to take care of myself.” — Katie Green, AEP Skills Exchange Participant
The fundamental values that underpin the AEP – equality, democracy, validation, generosity, supportiveness – are a mirror for the values that underpin the practice of the artists involved.
— Danielle Jones, AEP Artistic Initiator
Artists’ Exchange Programme FAQs
Who?
The AEP has been established for mid-career artists working as makers and leaders across community, socially engaged and participatory practice. Past iterations of the skills exchange have been designed to target specific artists such as those with a practice based in or informed by health and care. Future iterations may also focus on particular sub-sections of artists, however, the key demographic is those at mid-career – this is defined by level of experience and depth of thought, interrogation, and refection not by age.
What?
The Artist Exchange Programme provides artists development that recognises the needs, skills and knowledge of the participants and what they can offer each other. It is an alternative approach to CPD which values a diversity of skills and experience and does not lead based on one specific model of practice.
An AEP Skills-Exchange typically takes place in person, over a weekend. We have also facilitated the Skills Exchange online, over the course of three half day sessions held on zoom.
Active listening is at the heart of the programme and the AEP leans into the practice of coaching using creative approaches to listening and sharing. Each weekend is gently and supportively held by lead facilitator and artistic director of Luminelle, Danielle Jones. Guest coaches and facilitators are often invited to share the journey with us. Artists will be invited to offer a contribution which connects to the core themes of the AEP, sharing the space and dialogue around their practice with the other participating artists.
Contribution and bursaries
The AEP is typically delivered with support from artist development organisations who subsidise the fees. In recognition of the contributions made by each artists in the space, a bursary or honorarium is offered to each artist and no fees are charged to take part. We ask that you bring an open and collaborative spirit and all artists are asked to read and agree with the AEP humanifesto before taking part in the weekend.
To apply
The Artists’ Exchange Programme is for a limited number of artists by application only. We currently do not have any open AEP weekends for application. Information about the next weekend will be found on this page as well as our social media pages.
When I think of the AEP words come to mind like support, validation, value, community connection, rest, recovery. Unlike other community dance focused development courses the AEP assumes at the centre of it you have all the knowledge you would need. You are the skills, the power and passion that will drive you forward. This perhaps feels crucial to any mid-career artist when the energy and ideas are low. The AEP provides tools and networks to self-charge, a solar panel of never ending energy!
— Tom Hobden, We are UNIT
The AEP brings together values like artistry, integrity, inclusion and care – which are at the core of all that I’m striving to achieve. It has been real joy to discuss and share the areas of our work which can feel additional or even like barriers to making art when working outside of the traditional arenas. But integrating these things into the artistic process and celebrating the massive value of this way of working has been extremely useful for me. So many independent artists and small organisations are self-producing, self-recruiting, audience building, delivery powerhouses and doing it with so much heart. As society feels like an increasingly difficult place to nurture and hold fast to our values, AEP is a wonderful place to connect with other artists, share our experiences and get better at taking care of ourselves along the way.
— Clare Reynolds, Restoke
“I found the whole approach significantly refreshing, forward thinking, and inclusive. The AEP truly recognises the already existing skills and knowledge of these artists and gives an appropriate vehicle through which to share – this ultimately cultivates a sense of recognition and empowerment” — Lizzie Fort, AEP Skills Exchange Participant
Danielle Jones is a life coach with The Coaching Academy, a certified mindfulness daily practitioner with Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield, as well as a highly experienced dance artist mentor. The values of the AEP firmly connect with Danielle’s belief in the diverse voices of artists. One-to-one mentoring and the opportunity to shadow other artists in their practice can open up our perspectives to the range of approaches there, and can strengthen our understanding of what our own values look like. Having worked with artists across their career as a coach and mentor, Danielle evolved this Artists’ Support Programme to galvanise artists working to interrogate their artistic motivations and find a sense of self significance which will enhance their practice.