Made Possible – a new consumer finance initiative for independent artists, makers, and craftspeople

We’ve recently launched Made Possible – a new consumer finance initiative that makes it more affordable to buy original high-quality art, craft, and design directly from independent artists, makers, and craftspeople.

Made Possible offers the opportunity to benefit from an interest-free loan and to spread the cost of your purchase over a period of 10 months. The scheme is initially being delivered as a pilot, with support from National Lottery funds from Creative Scotland and in partnership with Novuna Consumer Finance.

Over the next 12-months, we’ll be road testing Made Possible with a small group of artists and makers based in Scotland. Our aim is to establish the potential economic and social benefits of the scheme and the impact it has on our participating artists. We will be exchanging with the participants on a regular basis and their feedback will help us refine the Made Possible service offer.

Mary-Alice Stack, Chief Executive at Creative United, said:

Generating a regular income through the sale of your work continues to be a significant challenge for the vast majority of UK based artists and craftspeople.

Although social media has made it easier and more affordable for artist/makers to gain a following, many struggle to convert that interest into sales.

Creative United is committed to supporting independent artists and craftspeople build their creative enterprise by giving them access to the skills and services they need to develop and grow.

We hope that our Made Possible pilot will help demonstrate the positive impact of retail finance as a tool for artists and makers to generate incremental sales, while also making their work more accessible to a wider range of buyers across the UK”.

Andrew Leitch, Creative Industries & Capital Projects Officer at Creative Scotland, said:

“Made Possible’s game-changing pilot enables artists and makers for the first time to offer interest free finance to buyers, opening up opportunities for people to own original art they love.  At the same time, this kind of innovation which is responding to changing audience habits, is helping to sustain individual artists’ creative practice and a more secure future for the wider sector.”

Our initial Made Possible pilot cohort consists of 5 talented artists and makers from across Scotland:

Alison MacLeod
Alison makes finely crafted pieces drawing from jewellery’s rich history of celebrating human connection in all its forms.
www.alisonmacleod.com

_{Photography by Laura Sparrow}

_{Photography by Laura Sparrow}

Daniel Lacey
Inspired by local landscapes, award-winning designer/maker Daniel Lacey creates contemporary fine furniture – transforming self-harvested local hardwoods into cherished heirlooms.
www.daniellacey.com

Elin Isaksson
Elin designs hand blown glassware for gifts, sculptural accessories, corporate awards and unique one-off cast sculptures for interiors.
www.elinisakssonglass.com

_{Photography by Shanon Tofts}

Frances Priest
Contemporary ceramic artist Frances Priest creates objects and tile installations exploring cultural histories of ornament and pattern.
www.francespriest.co.uk

_{Photography by Alix Mcintosh}

_{Photography by Shanon Tofts}

Neil Smith
Neil offers a range of original art, murals, merchandise and more from his online store, as well as selling on marketplaces and at physical trade shows and art fairs.
www.neilgsmithart.co.uk

We hope to bring a second cohort of Scotland-based artists, makers and craftspeople on board the pilot in early spring 2024.

To be considered for the pilot you must be able to meet the following criteria:

• producing and selling work in media including painting, sculpture, photography, limited edition prints, craft, textiles, jewellery, furniture, glass, and ceramics.
• be achieving sales turnover of £20,000 – £30,000 per annum, generated through the sale of your work to UK customers.
• have a dedicated business bank account (lender requirement).
• can offer 6-8 hours of feedback time (online/surveys/phone calls) with the Creative United team across the 12-month period.
• be willing to have your business profile promoted as a case study throughout and post-pilot.