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To mark the beginning of World Autism Acceptance Week, we hear from Jo Curd, author and co-founder of Autistic Eye, a Community Interest Company, not-for-profit initiative based in Bath.
Autistic Eye promotes, publishes and sells work by artists with autism. Since its inception in 2013 it has sold over 14,000 greetings cards depicting work by artists with a wide range of autism spectrum conditions. Published artists receive money for their work and revenue also funds exhibitions and events.
In 2022 we launched a crowdfunding campaign to publish our first book; ‘Carl’s Big Day Out’. This is a picture story book about courage for people of all ages. It is based on a true story about how one of our artists dealt with, and overcame, fear in order to ride on his favourite attraction at a theme park. It was illustrated by another artist with autism, based in Jamaica, Martin Thomas (Martism.com).
Crowd funding is an excellent way to generate revenue for a particular cause or project, calling on the generosity, good will and support of family, friends, colleagues and others you do (or sometimes do not) know.
Online platforms are easy to find and access and are incredibly helpful in raising funds as they are easy to use and offer the opportunity for giving to remain anonymous. The platform providers give a lot of very helpful advice and guidance on setting up your fundraising page, appealing to donors, sustaining your campaign and reaching your target. Galvanising a team of runners for the Bath Half was also very positive especially as we had several team runs, when we could, in 2021.
Supporters were incredibly generous and donated sufficient funds, to publish the book. Thank you to all the runners, sponsors and donors, we really couldn’t have done this without you.
Martin worked extremely conscientiously and thrived as he painted. He grew in confidence, motivation and initiative. His mother reported that this period was one of the first times when he got up without her prompts and started work without support. The AE team worked hard to lay the book out and ensure it was all in the right order for publication. On April 2nd 2022, World Autism Awareness Day ‘Carl’s Big Day Out’ was launched with a video production about the book.
![Carl's Big Day Out book cover](https://i0.wp.com/baneslibraries.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/VL-Book-cover-Template-71-e1710506914252-1024x771.png?resize=1024%2C771&ssl=1)
Copies of ‘Carl’s Big Day Out’ are can be found in local libraries by searching the Libraries West Catalogue and can be purchased through the Autistic Eye website.
This article was first published in 2023.