Representation and equality of opportunity is a constant struggle for the arts and entertainment industries. We are seeing more LGBTQ+ stories told than ever before, and the industry has continued to crack its gates open more widely for LGBTQ+ artists, but there is still much work to be done. Anyone in the art and entertainment industry will tell you that getting funding is hard. However, getting funding for, let’s say, a gay miniseries, or a trans romantic novel, is even harder. Studios, publishing houses, and execs still see these stories as ‘risky.’ Furthermore, LGBTQ+ artists themselves can have a harder time getting their foot, and therefore their art, inside the door. Without funding, everything else becomes harder too, including PR and marketing.

Over the last few years, we have seen more students than ever coming to us with interests in PR and marketing. This program is a way for ámaxa to help LGBTQ+ artists and storytellers get the attention they deserve, while also allowing us to give our students tangible experience in their fields of interests. Through the application (which will be posted on our website prior to each cycle) LGBTQ+ artists and storytellers can apply to be our next feature artist. If selected, they will benefit from the help of our team of young professionals and marketing and PR students. From social media management and content creation, to pitch decks, to garnering publicity, the ámaxa team will work in alignment with the artist to promote and empower.

Think of it as ámaxa’s own in-house PR and marketing agency; an agency where no story and no artist is too risky, and where all are encouraged to be and create with full authenticity. This is our homage to the arts: film, tv, paintings, music, novels, poetry, graphic design, animation, painting, sculpture and more. All art, and all artists, should be given equal opportunities to exist, create, and work – that’s what this project stands for.