Writer & Arts

Communications Specialist

Welcome! I’m Frances Richens, a writer and communicator. I specialise in helping artists and arts organisations to share their work in engaging and effective ways. Whether you’re talking to audiences, peers or supporters, I can help craft and share your message.

How I can help…

  • Good arts communication needs to be both compelling and true to the work. It’s often the first contact someone has with your work - and it tends to live on long after a project is done. I love working with artists and artist-led organisations to develop a deep understanding of their work and find the best way to talk about it.

    I’ve worked in the arts for 13 years and have a detailed understanding of UK audiences and press. Small budgets and tight schedules don’t phase me - whether you need marketing copy for your latest project or help planning and delivering an entire campaign, I’ll help you to make the most of your time and resources.

    My services include:

    • Marketing copy for shows, events & projects

    • Bios and company descriptions

    • Marketing campaign planning & delivery

    • Press releases, database development and PR campaign management

    • Digital content creation

    • Comms and promoter packs

    • Branding, print design & production

  • Persuasive storytelling is the key to successful fundraising, and increasingly important in our competitive funding landscape. I can help you to articulate the value of your work and how it aligns with those of potential supporters, presenting your ideas in the most compelling way possible.

    Since completing the National Arts Fundraising School, I have gained extensive experience in grant writing for trusts & foundations and Arts Council England, including NPO, Project and DYCP. I have worked on successful applications to the Granada Foundation, the Rank Foundation and John Ellerman, amongst others.

    My services include:

    • Grant & appeal writing

    • Fundraising strategy and cases for support

    • Prospect research & database management

    • Evaluation design & analysis

    • Report writing

  • Done right, evaluation helps you to understand and articulate the value of your work - and how to do it better. It’s an empowering process. I can help you to undertake evaluation that goes beyond box ticking, that is relevant, useful and appropriate for your projects.

    My services include:

    • Monitoring & evaluation planning

    • Survey design

    • Data & feedback analysis

    • Report writing

  • If you’re an artist living with disability, mental health conditions and/or neurodiversity, I can offer personal and friendly support. Perhaps you need help with administrative tasks, time and project management, or completing forms.

    If you need help making a funding application to Arts Council England, my services are free via the Access Support Scheme.

    My services include:

    • Support for Arts Council Project grants and DYCP applications (funded by ACE)

    • Remote administrative and project management support

Testimonial

Richard Gregory, Co-Artistic Director, Quarantine

“Frances approaches communications with a rare mix of clarity, calm, rigour and imagination. She brings a wealth of understanding and knowledge about the arts to her work and an instinct and passion for sharing that with the widest possible audiences. And a big plus - she’s a fabulous cook and a joy to work with!”

About me

I am a writer and arts communications specialist with over 14 years of experience in journalism, editing, marketing and fundraising.

I have held senior editorial and communications positions in publishing and nonprofit arts organisations. I cut my teeth at Arts Professional, the UK’s industry magazine for the arts and culture sector, where I was Editor until 2018. I later worked as Communications & Development Manager for the contemporary performance ensemble Quarantine, and served on the board of Imitating the Dog theatre company. I have a degree in History of Art from UCL and I trained at the National Arts Fundraising School and the National Council for the Training of Journalists. I am currently completing my MA in Intercultural Practices at Central Saint Martins, London.

As a freelancer, I offer services in arts communications, fundraising and evaluation, and I specialise in working directly with artists and artist-led organisations. My professional experience spans contemporary performance, interdisciplinary arts and participatory practice.

I work internationally and split my time between the UK and Mexico. Alongside my work in the arts, I undertake freelance writing on art and culture, travel and food. I generally work remotely, via email and video call, so I can work with you from wherever you’re based.

My clients have included Quarantine, Middleton Art House, Proforma, Action Hero, Quaestio Productions, Cultural Style Week, FAMU’s Black Archives Center, GAMAE International as well as many independent artists and practitioners.

Get in Touch →