The Mission, Models, Money initiative was inspired by a conference hosted by Demos and AEA Consulting called Valuing Culture, and its purpose was to address the challenges faced by both the UK funding system and individual arts organizations in developing mission-led financially sustainable businesses and to explore the scope for introducing new business models and ways of funding.

It has been developed since then with the expertise of an independent Action Group, the first cadre of graduates from the Clore Leadership Programme and others. It has been supported and funded in its first phases through Arts  & Business, the Jerwood Charity and Deutsche Bank. Through case studies, research, canvassing, international comparisons, commissioned essays and provocation papers and two major events, a launch conference in June 2004 and a second conference in February 2005 it has sought to reanimate a public conversation about how best to create a vibrant cultural community in the UK and deepen understanding of the challenges of successfully managing for mission and money.

AEA wrote the original background paper and case studies that inspired the initiative and continues to be deeply involved as the initiative evolves. 

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