The Starving Artist

The Starving Artist initiative empowers people through creative arts, putting lived-in experiences at the forefront of systemic reform. We aim to promote authentic and vulnerable engagement discourse and bring about change within current systems platforming people centered solutions. Our focus is on championing emerging voices from the creative arts and teaching individuals to explore their experiences and express themselves creatively. We cover a wide range of topics including mental well-being, eating-disorders, preventable diseases, women's rights, migrant experiences, and climate action. Through artistic voices, exhibitions, publications, workshops, and more. We connect artists, individuals, and key players to collaborate and drive transformation. 

The Starving Artist initiative is an innovative and unique approach that uses art and creativity to promote representation and intersectionality in civic reform. By utilizing art and culture, the initiative educates and raises awareness about the lived experiences of marginalized communities to a wider audience, including policy makers, educators, and healthcare professionals.

This helps create a more inclusive and representative civic reform process. Led by experts in lived-in experiences and arts, the initiative provides platforms and spaces for marginalized communities to express themselves and collaborate with others towards common goals. With their expertise, commitment, and leveraging of art and culture, the team is poised to make a significant impact in their communities and beyond.

Individuals with lived experiences engage with our art and research on a personal level. This fosters discussion and encourages sharing of their own experiences. Beneficiaries find safety and comfort in the art, knowing they are not alone.  The art communicates their struggles and promotes further discussion. Those outside of the lived-in experiences also gain insight into struggles of loved ones, broadening perspectives and learn more on how to support their loved ones and communities struggling at large. Art fosters empathy, understanding, and positive change.

Growing up, I suffered from a severe eating disorder for over 10 years. It massively affected my health, leaving me with several chronic illnesses. My traditional Eastern European family didn't understand the depths of mental illness, and medical practitioners saw a diagnosis; they didn't see the person suffering behind the disease. I only was able to find my voice through art, and it helped me connect and promote authentic and vulnerable communication around unwell bodies. From there, it led me to start The Starving Artist. 

Ally Zlatar has received the highest accolade a young person can achieve for their humanitarian work; such as the Commonwealth Innovation Awards (2023), winner of The Princess Diana Legacy Award (2021), King Hamad Award for Youth Empowerment (2022), the Lieutenant Governor's Community Volunteer Award from the Ontario Government of Canada (2023) and also special recognition from The British Citizen Award (2022). She holds a BFA in Visual Art & Art History from Queen's University & an MLitt Curatorial Practice and Contemporary Art from the Glasgow School of Art. Her Doctorate of Creative Arts is with the University of Southern Queensland focusing on embodied experiences of mental illness in contemporary art. Zlatar is a Lecturer at the University of Glasgow and has taught at Glasgow International College, KICL London, and the University of Essex (UEIC).

View full team: https://starvingartist.cargo.s...

Ally Zlatar's initiative, "The Starving Artist," has reached a pivotal stage of expansion due to her tireless efforts in leveraging art for social impact. Through workshops, speaking engagements, and international representation, Ally has fostered vital conversations on mental health, climate change, and migrant identity, providing a platform for diverse voices to be heard and shared. Her dedication to community service, evidenced by over 20 workshops held across the UK and participation in global conferences, reflects a commitment to empowering individuals through creative expression.

Furthermore, Ally's creation of accessible resources, such as art-based reflection cards, and collaborative exhibitions with organizations like ONE Campaign and #GenEndit, underscore her mission to drive change through art. These initiatives not only raise awareness but also catalyze meaningful dialogue on pressing issues, showcasing the transformative potential of artistic expression in addressing societal challenges. Ally's impactful advocacy and inclusive approach position "The Starving Artist" for continued growth and broader societal influence.

At "The Starving Artist," our mission is to harness the transformative potential of art to ignite systemic reform and drive positive change in areas such as mental health, climate change, and migrant identity. By joining Solve, we aim to tap into a network of partners and resources that can amplify our impact and help us overcome specific barriers that hinder our progress. One key barrier we face is financial constraints. While our passion and dedication drive our work forward, securing adequate funding remains a challenge. Solve's connections with partners who can provide financial support, whether through grants, investments, or other forms of funding, would enable us to scale our initiatives, reach more communities, and sustain our impact over the long term. Additionally, Solve's emphasis on non-monetary support aligns with our holistic approach to addressing barriers beyond financial limitations. Through mentorship, capacity building, and access to expertise, Solve can help us strengthen our organizational capacity, refine our strategies, and navigate complex challenges more effectively.

On the technical front, we recognize the importance of leveraging technology to enhance our outreach and engagement efforts. However, as a grassroots initiative led by artists and activists, we lack specialized technical expertise in areas such as digital marketing, data analysis, and platform development. Solve's network of technologists, innovators, and entrepreneurs can provide invaluable insights and support in harnessing technology to optimize our operations, improve our online presence, and enhance the accessibility and effectiveness of our programs. Moreover, navigating legal and regulatory frameworks can be daunting, especially as we expand our initiatives across borders and collaborate with diverse stakeholders. Solve's expertise in legal matters and its network of legal professionals can help us address legal challenges, ensure compliance with regulations, and establish partnerships that are mutually beneficial and sustainable. Culturally, our work is deeply rooted in promoting inclusivity, diversity, and authenticity. However, cultural barriers, such as language barriers or cultural misconceptions about mental health or art, can hinder our ability to engage effectively with certain communities. Solve's global reach and diverse network can help us bridge these cultural divides, build trust, and tailor our approaches to resonate with diverse audiences, thereby maximizing our impact and relevance across different contexts.

Lastly, while we have made significant strides in raising awareness and catalyzing change through art, we recognize the importance of understanding market dynamics and identifying sustainable revenue streams to ensure our long-term viability and independence. Solve's ecosystem of partners and stakeholders can provide valuable market insights, connections to potential collaborators and customers, and support in developing innovative business models that align with our mission and values.

In summary, we believe that Solve's collaborative approach and diverse network of partners can provide invaluable support in overcoming financial, technical, legal, cultural, and market barriers that we face. By joining Solve, we hope to accelerate our journey towards creating a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future through the power of art and creative activism.

Our solution stands out for its innovative approach to addressing personal journeys and lived experiences through art. Unlike traditional methods of discourse, which may be limited by cultural barriers such as language, education, and resource availability, our endeavor leverages the power of art as a universal language to advocate for and amplify these experiences. By providing a platform for individuals to express themselves creatively, our solution facilitates alternative discourse, fostering discussion and understanding on highly sensitive subjects that are often overlooked or stigmatized. Through art, we aim to innovate by offering a safe and inclusive space for individuals to explore their own well-being, express their struggles, and overcome systemic barriers. By delving into the depths of personal experiences, our solution catalyzes broader positive impacts by promoting empathy, understanding, and positive change within communities. It encourages both beneficiaries and external audiences to engage in meaningful dialogue, fostering a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by individuals and promoting a culture of support and solidarity.

Furthermore, our solution has the potential to change the market landscape by challenging existing norms and perceptions surrounding the role of art in addressing sensitive topics. By demonstrating the effectiveness of art as a tool for expression and advocacy, we aim to inspire others in this space to adopt similar approaches, leading to a more inclusive and empathetic society. Through collaboration and collective action, our solution seeks to create lasting change, empowering individuals to access key resources, navigate personal journeys, and foster positive transformation within themselves and their communities.

The Starving Artist's approach is innovative because it uses art to address sensitive topics such as eating disorders, migrant experiences, menstruation, and gender violence. By utilizing creative expression through visual arts, research, publications, exhibitions, and workshops, we aim to shed light on these often misunderstood and overlooked issues. Our initiative provides a platform for individuals to explore their experiences and emotions in a safe and inclusive environment, fostering empathy, understanding, and advocacy for change. Through our various projects like "This Body of Mine," "A Glimpse Behind the Blood," and "It Was Not Safe," we delve into the psychological and emotional struggles faced by individuals, challenging social norms and advocating for systemic change. By amplifying diverse voices and artistic expressions, we aim to inspire dialogue, empathy, and collective action towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society.

Our theory of change revolves around the belief that art has the power to advocate for lived-in experiences, be a tool for expression, explore one's own well-being, innovate through alternative discourse, and aid in overcoming systemic barriers. By providing a platform for individuals to share their stories and be heard, we empower both beneficiaries and external audiences to engage in meaningful dialogue and foster positive change. Beneficiaries of our work include individuals who have lived experiences related to the topics we address. Through engagement with our art and research, they find safety and comfort, knowing they are not alone in their struggles. Additionally, external audiences gain insight into the challenges faced by their loved ones and communities, fostering empathy, understanding, and positive change.

In summary, The Starving Artist's innovative approach to using art as a tool for social change aims to create a world where everyone's stories are heard and contribute to meaningful change. Join us on our journey to explore these issues authentically and vulnerably, fostering personal connections and deeper understanding for a brighter future.

The 'Starving Artist' initiative aims to make a meaningful impact on marginalized communities by using art as a tool for positive change. Our goals are to provide more opportunities for artistic expression and mental health support, foster understanding between diverse cultural groups, and advocate for systemic changes to address social inequalities. We measure our progress by tracking the number of community members participating in our workshops and exhibitions, ensuring representation from a variety of cultural backgrounds. We also gather feedback from participants on how art has affected their well-being and sense of belonging. Additionally, we monitor attendance rates at our events and workshops and establish partnerships with civic organizations and artists to further our mission. Our ultimate aim is to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly focusing on goals related to health and well-being, reducing inequalities, and building partnerships for positive change. Through these efforts, we strive to create a more equitable and inclusive society where everyone's voice is heard and valued.

Our solution relies on various technological tools to make a meaningful impact and connect with our audience. We use virtual reality (VR) to create immersive exhibitions, providing an accessible platform for showcasing art and raising awareness about social issues. Additionally, we've developed digital reflection cards that use art to guide individuals through self-reflection and personal growth, fostering resilience and self-awareness. Digital publications are another key component of our approach, allowing us to share insights and perspectives on topics like mental health and social justice with a wider audience. Through articles, essays, and research papers, we aim to contribute to ongoing conversations and promote understanding.

Online workshops and talks serve as platforms for skills development and education on important issues such as disability awareness and mental health advocacy. These virtual events enable us to engage with participants from diverse backgrounds, fostering inclusivity and accessibility in our initiatives. By leveraging these technologies, we can connect with our audience in innovative ways focused on people-centered solutions, amplify marginalized voices, and drive positive change through creative expression and storytelling. Our goal is to use technology as a tool for empowerment, enabling individuals to explore and address social challenges through art and education.

Full Time- 2 Employees

Part Time - 2 Employees

Volunteers- 6 -8 (Seasonal)

Founded in 2017

We believe in building a team that reflects the diversity of our community and provides equal opportunities for all. Our team is led by young individuals, ensuring fresh perspectives and inclusivity. We offer flexible work arrangements, including remote options, to accommodate our team members from rural areas and we have our team living in over 6 different countries with accessibility needs.