Arts Council England funding
In October 2023, I received a National Lottery Project Grant from Arts Council England, the national development agency for creativity and culture, to produce an original 160-page graphic novel and deliver free comic-making workshops for children aged 8 to 11 in Gloucester.
The project, which culminated in a free comic art exhibition in March 2025, is now complete. This page serves as a record of the project’s achievements, and (hopefully) as a source of information for any comic creators who are considering applying for Arts Council funding. Please check back regularly for updates.
A massive thank you to James Garrod and the team at Gloucester Culture Trust and Jolt Studios for guiding me through the application process, and for helping to facilitate this project at every stage. Thanks also to the teachers and participating pupils at Kingsholm Primary School, the staff and students at Gloucestershire College, and intern Elena for participating in my workshops and tutorials with such enthusiasm.
Artwork from Afterlife Inc. Volume 7 by Raffaele Ricciardi and JP Jordan.
About this project
The creation of Afterlife Inc. Volume 7: Imitation of Life was made possible thanks to a National Lottery Project Grant from Arts Council England, the UK's national development agency for creativity and culture.
Arts Council England awards funding to creative practitioners to support projects that align with its Let's Create Strategy. The Strategy is based on the simple premise that anyone can be creative given the chance, and that 'art' and 'culture' are not confined to galleries or the theatre.
Comics, as a historically underappreciated art form, are the perfect medium to support this goal. Comics are about as 'low art' as it gets, and yet they promote literacy and creativity, spark wonder, and provide us with some of our most enduring cultural touchstones.
As such, and with the Let's Create Strategy firmly in mind, my project sought to achieve three main outcomes.
The creation of an original 160-page graphic novel that showcases the work of an amazing selection of established and emerging artists, and pushes me to new heights as a writer.
The delivery of free comic-making workshops to children and young adults in culturally-deprived areas of Gloucester. Participants would also be provided with free comics and storytelling resources.
A free, week-long exhibition in Gloucester showcasing artwork from over 12 years of Afterlife Inc.
Photos by James Horrell at Au Fait Photography.
The application
Are you a comic creator who’s interested in applying for Arts Council England funding? If so, my successful application, which is available as a free download, may provide inspiration and help familiarise you with the application process.
“Jon’s programme of comic-writing workshops were brilliant...and an opportunity that a lot of the children in our school will rarely get the chance to take part in.”
Artwork from Afterlife Inc. Volume 7 by Raffaele Ricciardi and JP Jordan.