Metallic Inc. announce the 2023 Metallic Fund
Now in its third year, the fund is set to award over £60,000 to young British Black creatives within the arts
London-based culture studio Metallic Inc has announced its third year of the Metallic Fund, set to award over £60,000 to young British Black creatives across the arts to help assist the realisation of their artistic vision.
Established in 2020 as a way of addressing racial inequality in the creative industries, The Metallic Fund has paired young Black talent with industry leaders across music, fashion, film and business as part of its ongoing mentorship program, and worked with sister program The Metallic Design Programme to issue over £150,000 directly to Black and people of colour creatives.
Thus far, the fund and mentorship has aided the likes of No Signal Radio, Vivendii, Louis Culture and Feben. It has previously hosted mentors including Carlos Nazario, Martine Rose and the late Virgil Abloh.
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Grants for 2023's Metallic Fund will be divided across a tier system: there will be one Platinum grant of £20,000, two Gold grants of £10,000, three Silver grants of £5000 and six Bronze grants of £2500 awarded.
Applicants should be between 18-34 year old and be Black creatives who live in the UK, possessing a "strong creative vision and plan". The scheme also encourages those from LGBTQ+ communities to apply.
“The fund has been really important for someone like me 'cause I don’t really come from that sort of background," explains former fund winner Feben. "It really supported me when I needed it the most, but it wasn’t just the money, it was the mentorship as well. I had just graduated and needed guidance. Carlos from i-D was one of my mentors and I found that conversation and his belief in my story really helpful. I really appreciated the support.”
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“Community is the DNA of Metallic," says co-founder Grace LaDoja MBE [pictured]. "We want The Fund to be visible to the community outside of the people that know us personally, the community that are in the UK doing amazing things and want to get support from a company that is Black owned and has an amazing network around it that can nurture them through mentorship."
“We wanted to create a Fund that looks like us," adds co-founder Alex Sossah [pictured]. "It was vital to have a program that allows people to identify with us. The Fund has always been about bringing people together, collaborating and supporting the next generation of Black creative talent."
You can find out all information on the Metallic Fund and how to apply here.
Niamh Ingram is Mixmag's Weekend Editor, follow her on Twitter