Something To Aim For

Something To Aim For Supporting Artists & Communities. Interests: & driving The Sick of the Fringe.

Hub: www.staflive.com
Supporters Wellcome & Arts Council England
Cover image by .jpg - Carnival Pride

ANNOUNCEMENT!We’re looking for a new cohort of STAF Listeners!We are seeking 4 artistic community members of Manchester ...
06/05/2026

ANNOUNCEMENT!

We’re looking for a new cohort of STAF Listeners!

We are seeking 4 artistic community members of Manchester for an engagement to see new work and connect with the artists to write articles giving an overall view of the creative landscape and pressing themes of 2026/27. The writings of the ‘Listeners’ will be published on the STAF website as blogs.

Check out our linktree in bio to apply!

Application deadline: Weds 27th May, 5pm

We're really proud of the change of direction STAF began in 2024/25, which led to so many important projects and a year ...
06/05/2026

We're really proud of the change of direction STAF began in 2024/25, which led to so many important projects and a year of working alongside GM Arts, Manchester City Council, HighRise Theatre and many community organisations.

We made sure we did as much listening to the voices of the community by convening diverse groups with access and care access at the core of what we do, so artists at any stage would feel safe to speak freely on their career successes and struggles.

Have a read! Link in our bio!

We were honoured to be invited to speak to the Graphic Design and Illustration students at University Campus Oldham this...
24/03/2026

We were honoured to be invited to speak to the Graphic Design and Illustration students at University Campus Oldham this week!

Connecting with Arts Emergency to bring graphic designer, educator and mentor Kevin Darton to speak alongside STAF's Tian Glasgow about stepping into graphic design careers. Kevin gave them his thoughts on Portfolios, Networking, Careers, Skills and Wellbeing. Breaking them all down into One Key Idea, Three Big Moves and Three Top Tips making everything less daunting.

Tian spoke about the values of STAF and how we support creatives even when they are just starting out. Offering thoughts on how they can think about sustainable success - thinking strategically to stay flexible to unforeseen opportunities, understanding and advocating for their wellbeing in the industry, seeking connections and maintaining community.

Huge thanks to Vicky Ford and Ben Atkins for bringing us in for Employability Month, it was a pleasure!

"Executive leadership involves decisions far beyond creative practice: governance, financial risk, organisational strate...
02/03/2026

"Executive leadership involves decisions far beyond creative practice: governance, financial risk, organisational strategy, people management. For many, these demands arrive suddenly, pulling time and energy away from artistic thinking, creative development and cultural vision."

Our CEO has many reflections on being the Executive Director of STAF in 2025

Take a read!

Link in bio

Sharing some of our achievements and how our methodology makes our way of working unique.Plus a reminder, you can suppor...
16/02/2026

Sharing some of our achievements and how our methodology makes our way of working unique.

Plus a reminder, you can support us by signing up to easyfundraising and have companies you shop with donate!

Use the Linktree in our bio to find out more!

To complete our Summer Listening 2025, we have a reflection written by our Programme Development Lead .Bringing together...
13/02/2026

To complete our Summer Listening 2025, we have a reflection written by our Programme Development Lead .

Bringing together several findings from our Listeners last year plus his own listening of the early journeys of theatre makers at and . Leading to thoughts on the value of community and grassroots arts.

Link in bio!

DID YOU KNOW? We have this new way you can help us for FREE. Over 8,000 retailers will donate to us when you use to sho...
02/02/2026

DID YOU KNOW? We have this new way you can help us for FREE. Over 8,000 retailers will donate to us when you use to shop with them – at no extra cost to yourself!

All you need to do is sign up and remember to use whenever you shop online.

Use our Linkree to find out more and sign up in our bio!

Your support would be hugely appreciated!

Welcome back for another listening blog post! This time, we sent local animator to the Manchester Animation Festival !A...
02/12/2025

Welcome back for another listening blog post! This time, we sent local animator to the Manchester Animation Festival !

Attending talks, screenings and networking events he gives his thoughts on growing as an animator in the UK in "Don't wait for a yes"

Link in bio

The start of our Listening time began with a brilliant talk from stop motion animator Laura Tofarides. "Laura took us o...
14/11/2025

The start of our Listening time began with a brilliant talk from stop motion animator Laura Tofarides.

"Laura took us on her career journey via her multiple showreels over the years, from student to professional working at Aardman, to gaining confidence as a director and completing her short film Brain Space.

In a world of social media, it can be very easy to think there are so many more talented people to compare yourself to.

Seeing someone’s work progress from student to professional really showcased that no one starts off polished, and animation like any creative practice is something you constantly work at, learn and improve with every new job or project. To see someone who now works for Aardman, a giant in stop motion, and how they began making animation on their living room floor with the most basic and cost effective set up, really drives home that everyone starts somewhere" - STAF Listener

More Friday reading hot off the press about the experience of artists on the ground in Manchester!This week, we have te...
24/10/2025

More Friday reading hot off the press about the experience of artists on the ground in Manchester!

This week, we have telling us about what's been happening this summer in the grassroots music scene in 'The Music City'

Link in bio

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Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
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