Draft:Raze Collective

Raze Collective is a London-based charity that works to support the development of queer artists across the UK, with a focus on innovative and contemporary art. Initially founded in 2015 by a group of queer artists in response to the closure of LGBTQ+ venues across London,  In 2016 Raze Collective was registered as a charity.

Raze Collective receive Arts Council England grants to fund many of their projects.

Lucy Hayhoe is the current Director of Raze Collective.

Based out of Hackney, Raze Collective provides support to emerging artists, organises community events and produces performances, often in collaboration with other arts organisations such as Stanley Arts, Richmix and Arts Admin.

Raze Collective runs the Queer Arts Consortium in collaboration with The Cocoa butter Club, And What? Queer Arts Festival, PRIM.Black, and Fringe! Queer Arts & Film Festival

Performances and Events
Since 2018, Raze Collective have produced a number of events and performances aimed at raising awareness for LGBTQ+ issues and giving a platform to marginalised groups, as well as for entertainment. Along side this, they also host a range of events and workshops.

Artist Development
Raze Collective offers sector support to artists and those involved in the queer art industry, as well as artist development programs.

Collide 2023
Raze Collective collaborated with Stanley arts to commission 10 artists to create new art as part of the 2023 London Borough of Culture programme, to culminate in an installation and sharing of the work in July of 2023. Each artist received a £5000 seed commission as well as support from Raze Collective in the form of mentoring, rehearsal space and fundraising support.

Commissioned artists

 * Dundan Disorderly
 * Amani
 * An0maly
 * Danny Bailey & Alizée
 * Bilan
 * Dot Alma
 * Orion Isaacs
 * Tanaka Fuego
 * June Lam
 * Lateisha Davine Lovelace-Hanson

Raze Up:Development Day 2019
Raze Collective organised a day of workshops with artists in the queer art sector on topics including funding and budgeting, building a brand and getting programmed by theatres. This event included a performance of four artists commissioned by Raze Collective to create new work.

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Commissioned Work and Artists ======


 * Black Unicorns by Lasana Shabazz
 * Untitled by Clumsy Bodies
 * How To Find Your Future (Queer) Girlfriend – A faux TED talk for all gay girls aged 18-25 by Erinn Dhesi
 * Untitled by Samra Mayanja & Samuel Lanchin (samOne, sameTwo)

Let Us Raze You 2021-Present
Let Us Raze You is an annual artist development program by Raze Collective. Artists are commissioned to create new work with the support of Raze Collective and various organisations in the form of rehearsal space, mentoring and funding.

2021
Let Us Raze You 2021 commissioned 6 cabaret artists in the first year of their career, who hadn’t had a debut in clubs and bars due to COVID-19 restrictions, to create new work for a digital sharing.

Commissioned Artists

 * Ant Lightfoot
 * Lusty Lovelace
 * Renata Kaminska
 * Zaki Musa
 * Hannah Lawless
 * Lorna-Rose Treen

2022
Let Us Raze You 2022 commissioned 5 artists to create new work or develop a pre-existing idea to share at the Hackney Showroom and The Glory.

Commissioned Artists

 * Shay Shay
 * Tito Bone
 * Raina Greifer
 * Tylor Deyn
 * Rick Dove

2024
Let Us Raze You LABS is the 2024 iteration of Let Us Raze You, supporting 3 artists to create new work or to develop a pre-existing idea to share at Stanley Arts. These artists also ran workshops for artists with the support of Raze Collective.

Commissioned Artists

 * Wet Mess
 * Elle Fierce
 * Azara

Raze Introducing 2022/23
Raze Introducing is produced by Raze Collective in partnership with Stanley arts, commissioning 5 artists to create new pieces of movement-based art. Artists received support and funding over a 3 month development programme, as well as a sharing at Stanley Arts.

Commissioned Artists

 * An0maly
 * Bambi
 * Chantel Foo
 * Jasmin Kahlia
 * Daisy Barrett-Nash

Queer Clash Dairy 2018-Present
Raze Collective began hosting Queer Clash Dairy in 2018, in collaboration with And What? Queer Arts Festival, beginning as an informal meet-up for creatives in the queer arts scene, it has since developed into an annual event for queer artists, directors, programmers and producers to network and discover new art. In addition to annual event, Raze Collective hosts the series "Queer Clash Mornings" in collaboration with Arts Admin, which is a monthly meet up for queer creatives.