After the Christmas break, Kulsoma and I resumed preparations for our Self-Initiated Project (SIP). While brainstorming potential exhibition venues, we thought of Jada, a fellow student we had met during the Pecha Kucha presentations. We decided to reach out to her to explore the possibility of exhibiting on campus and are currently awaiting her response.
Choosing a university venue seemed fitting given the nature of both NSI and UAL. From my perspective, I hope NSI can provide young creatives (like students) with the opportunity to engage with societal issues, inspiring them to think critically and reflect deeply. I believe this could have a lasting impact on the younger generation, encouraging them to approach the world with a more thoughtful and socially aware lens once they enter the professional sphere. At the same time, this would be a valuable opportunity for NSI to connect with a wider audience of emerging talent.
That said, I still believe it’s essential to find a venue with some level of public accessibility. As a result, we’ve also been exploring other options outside of UAL. During this process, I suddenly remembered a conversation I had with a friend who studied Product Design. She had once organised an exhibition at Peckham Levels, supported by a grant from the Bounce Fund.
Thankfully, I had asked her about the funding source at the time, and now that information has come in handy. According to her, the Bounce Fund is relatively new and not widely known, which made the application process less competitive. She received £300 from the fund for her project. When I shared this idea with Kulsoma, she was just as excited as I was. We immediately looked up the application criteria on the fund’s website and decided to apply for it together.
This discovery not only gave us a new avenue to explore for our SIP but also reminded me of the importance of staying curious and resourceful. I’m feeling optimistic about what we can achieve with the right planning and support.
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