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Our Cause

We are Axis, an independent charity supporting contemporary visual artists. We work with artists, supporting their practice through funding, visibility, connection and practical help.

As a charity led by artists and funded by our members, everything we do goes back into supporting artists.

We support artists.

We fund artists.

We create opportunities to show work.

We connect artists to peers, curators and audiences.

We provide practical help, including insurance, advice and resources that support day to day practice.

We work differently.

We’re not driven by profit or funded by public bodies like Arts Council England.

We are funded by our members, earned income and donations. 

We are a collective, independent, and built for and by artists.

That gives us independence.

It means we can focus on what artists need, and reinvest directly into artists and their work.

We are led by artists.

Our team and trustees include practicing artists. That shapes what we prioritise and how we work.

Membership powers everything we do.

It funds opportunities. 

It supports a national network. 

It enables direct support to artists.

It allows us to act with care and consistency, and put artists first.

It’s not easy being an artist.

Time is limited. Income is uncertain. Support is uneven.

When artists can’t sustain their practice, fewer voices are seen and heard.

Axis exists to change that.
Axis supports artists.

Join Axis

We support artists

Funding, visibility, connection and practical help. 

Membership includes £15 million of Public Liability Insurance!

Axis is an independent charity, funded by our members. 
Become a Member

OPEN: £50,000 directly to artists.

Axis Artist Awards 2026

The Axis Artist Awards support artists to develop their practice, test ideas, make work and keep going. 

Learn more