Artists Futures Fund, has been supporting artists for over 200 years. Their core mission is to open doors to diverse and exciting futures for talented individuals facing significant barriers to building careers in the arts. They prioritise emerging artists experiencing economic hardship, disability and mental-health challenges, ensuring creative careers are accessible to those traditionally excluded from the sector. Currently at a point of significant transformation, RIAC recently connected the charity with Sophie Hussey as a new trustee.

Sophie Hussey is a Development Consultant with recent clients including the Royal College of Art, Wild Arts and the Almeida Theatre.  Sophie focuses particularly on philanthropy to support emerging artists into sustainable creative careers, having worked at new writing venues Royal Court Theatre and Bush Theatre, the conservatoires Royal College of Music and Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, as well as the Courtauld Institute of Art and the Architectural Association School of Architecture.  In 2024, she completed her MA in Philanthropic Studies at the Centre for Philanthropy, University of Kent. She is a trustee of the Artists Futures Fund which supports early careers visual arts and the Kiln Theatre in Northwest London.

“We are delighted to welcome Sophie to our Board of Trustees,” says Olivia Mason, Director at Artists Futures Fund.  “Sophie’s commitment to supporting artists will be invaluable as we continue our mission to empower and invest in artists’ futures. RIAC has played a supportive role in our charity’s growth this year by carefully identifying trustee candidates whose aspirations complement our long-term strategic direction.”

Sophie says, “I’m thrilled to have been invited to join Artists Futures Fund, a great charity with a long history of helping artists and an exciting plan for the future. I am passionate about supporting early careers artists into sustainable careers and AFF delivers carefully considered and impactful support, so I am grateful to RIAC for this perfect match and for how they managed the process.”

RIAC is thrilled to have been instrumental in this appointment, and looks forward to seeing a continuation of the amazing work done by Artists Futures Fund with Sophie’s expertise.