Something To Aim For (STAF) began in 2019 as an amalgamation of the work of two organisations: In Company Collective (ICC), and The Sick of the Fringe (TSOTF).

ICC provided mentoring and support programmes for emerging and mid-career artists. TSOTF was an international artistic development programme that engaged with artists and audiences with lived experience of chronic ill health, disability, and socio-economic disadvantage, and addressed questions of access across the creative industries.

STAF’s work continued to build upon this legacy, mentoring and supporting marginalised artists and artist-led organisations at different stages of development, as well as addressing access and inclusion through projects like What Matters To Me and Fringe Artist Forums.

Since its inception, STAF has sought to bridge gaps and remove barriers to achieve its charitable aims, with agility and responsiveness at the core of our work. Changing operating contexts and community needs have prompted us to reassess our role, leading to a strategic pivot. This reflection reaffirmed our commitment to collaboration and the belief that collective effort can create lasting change.

As a result, we have positioned STAF as a creative infrastructure support organisation. We pursue an inclusive cultural sector where anyone can access opportunities and thrive. We remove barriers by supporting under-represented / emerging artists and small artist-led organisations through mentoring, consultancy, peer networks and fair partnerships, improving living conditions, skills, self-confidence, visibility and retention, and helping shift decision-making power towards systemic change.