Smashing It

A 2018 report showed that only 18.2 per cent of people in music and performing and visual arts, and only 12.6% in publishing are from a working class background. Next year, we're publishing a book that celebrates the achievements of working class artists in Britain (across all genres: music, visual arts, poetry, drama etc). Incorporating journalistic, reportage-style pieces with memoir and excerpts/images of original works, it will include contributions from leading musicians, playwrights, visual artists, poets, filmmakers and writers (including Malorie Blackman OBE, Riz Ahmed, Bridget Minamore, Anthony Anaxagorou and Bryony Kimmings) about how they overcame obstacles, from the financial to the philosophical. The book will also offer practical information on how to make it in the arts (how to apply for funding; how to present a proposal) in a 'guide' section at the back of the book. The editor, acclaimed poet and playwright Sabrina Mahfouz, has been producing monthly free workshops since early 2018 titled 'The Great Wash: Accessing Funding Workshops for Working Class Writers'. (200 people attended the first workshop, coming as far as Newcastle and Wales).