About Nesta

Nesta is an innovation foundation. For us, innovation means turning bold ideas into reality and changing lives for the better. We use our expertise, skills and funding in areas where there are big challenges facing society.

Figurative is a not-for-profit based in London, UK and incorporating Arts & Culture Finance and New Philanthropy for Arts & Culture. It specialises in raising and managing impact funds and designing innovation programmes and impact frameworks – all tailored to the cultural and creative sector. It also offers global advisory services and conducts research into the future of cultural and creative funding and impact. Figurative manages three investment portfolios – the Arts Impact Fund, the Cultural Impact Development Fund, and the Arts & Culture Impact Fund. The latter is currently open for applicants.

Figurative incorporates Arts & Culture Finance (formerly a division of Nesta) and New Philanthropy for Arts & Culture, and has extensive experience in investment, funding, innovation and impact leadership.

Figurative’s long-term goals are to:

  • attract significant new investment to the cultural and creative sector by raising and managing new funds and supporting the sector to diversify its funding streams and networks
  • make the UK a global hub for cultural innovation through world-leading innovation programmes for organisations experimenting with funding and business models, new technologies and services
  • be a centre of excellence for arts and impact, helping organisations monitor and articulate the difference they make in the world and exploring how social and environmental goals can be supported by responsible finance.

Figurative has been supported by major cultural and creative funders and leading social investment groups. Funders include Arts Council England, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Julia and Hans Rausing Trust, Rothschild Foundation and Nesta.

Team

Fran Sanderson

Fran Sanderson

Fran Sanderson

Director of Arts Programmes and Investments

Alongside heading up the Arts, Culture and Creativity team, Fran also had primary responsibility for the Arts Impact Fund.

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Seva Phillips

Seva Phillips

Seva Phillips

Head of Arts & Culture Finance

Seva was responsible for Nesta's social impact investment work in the arts, culture and creative industries.

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Trishna Nath

Trishna Nath

Trishna Nath

Investment Manager, Arts & Culture Finance team

Trishna joined the Arts and Culture Finance team as Investment Manager for the Cultural Impact Development Fund (CIDF).

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Louisa Shanks

Louisa Shanks

Louisa Shanks

Investment Analyst, Arts & Culture Finance

Louisa worked across the investment process for the Arts & Culture Impact Fund, sourcing opportunities to due diligence, preparing investment proposals and managing portfolios.

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Dominika Cazamea

Dominika Cazamea

Dominika Cazamea

Investment Analyst, Arts & Culture Finance team

Dominika was an Investment Analyst for the Arts & Culture Impact Fund, a social investment fund offering repayable finance to arts, culture and heritage organisations across the UK.

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Rachel Green

Rachel Green

Rachel Green

Investment Manager, Arts & Culture Finance

Rachel worked in the Arts & Culture Finance team as an investment manager of the Arts & Culture Impact Fund.

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