4 things you need to know about WDS

Well hello there,

It’s been a while since I sat to write one of these company updates. At one point it was a regular practice when I was running Beatfreeks as CEO.

A lot has changed since then!

A pandemic, a company restructure, team joining and team moving on, and the world is refusing to sit still.

So we can’t either.

I’m writing to share 5 things you need to know about We Don’t Settle and all the ways we are also not sitting still. Keep reading to find out about what we’re doing, where we’re going and how you can be a part of it all.

1. We’re moving offices.

As of October 2022, you can find the team at Coffin Works in the Jewellery Quarter. A hugely exciting move to get closer to the heritage sector by co-locating within a museum site. We’ve got plenty of tea, and lots of space. And we can’t wait to welcome you soon so why not come and say hi.

2. We’ve decided not to apply for the next round funding through the National Portfolio of Arts Council England.

Ah, it’s been a journey. A wonderful one. And We Don’t Settle was delighted to take up the last year of the former Beatfreeks Arts place in the portfolio developing artists and producers across arts, culture and heritage. But we’re restless, entrepreneurial and seeking the chance to work with our funders in ways that work for our mission. That means despite a super successful round of funding in the portfolio 2018 – 2022/2023 and having achieved brilliant development opportunities, festivals and showcasing moments, and employed incredible talent, we’re focusing on a wider number of partnerships to keep ourselves nimble and give us chance to go deeper with other funders with whom we have brilliant relationships.

3. We’ve recruited new board members

A bit click baity – but we’ll be announcing them imminently. Hold tight!

4. We’re experimenting with a new Co-Chair model

We’ll be announcing them soon too, I promise. We’ve thought long and hard about what shape our governance might take and what’s needed from publicly funded organisations in these precarious and demanding times. We’ve decided that a Co-Chair model will model the types of equity and representation we demand from the sector, and these two together, woweeee, they won’t disappoint.

I want to take a moment to thank the We Don’t Settle team SO much for their hard work and efforts. They make We Don’t Settle what it is everyday – and we’re so very lucky to have them.

Anisa

Founder & Chair of We Don’t Settle