Happy New Year 2015!

2014 has been a quiet year for the LAN, taking a step back to stop and draw to a close opportunities that didn't quite work out the way we'd have liked.

It's been a year to take some time out to concentrate on personal issues, then to start again to renew Lincoln Artists' Network.

Most of the time spent not applying for "opportunities" that won't benefit the LAN, and challenging them.

We're still seeking funding - this is a huge bugbear for the LAN.

We are constantly told to apply to Arts Council for funding, and artists really need to get together with us in order for this to be successful. Strength in numbers.

a-n's #payingartists campaign takes a lot of the groundwork out of campaigning for better artists' rights, although we're still not sure why it is that, 5 years on, it's so hard to generate an income for artists.

We applied to The Collection for a Courtyard Gallery exhibition, which wasn't successful. We were told this was because there are already lots of Magna Carta themed events next year. We would like to have been involved, for Lincoln-based artists to get together to create and showcase work, but we need to expand from "grass roots" level now.

Exciting things have been happening behind the scenes at the LAN towards the end of 2014, looking forward to new beginnings and new opportunities.

We're in the process of developing workshops, with a potential fundraising event coming up in May, and plenty of ideas to work towards.

We'd like to thank all those that have been getting involved, and the support from businesses and the University of Lincoln.