ArtsGroupie CIC is devastated to announce the passing of one of its directors, Jill Smith. Jill passed peacefully on Monday 20th January surrounded by family and friends after a short illness.

Words simply aren't worthy of describing this loss. Jill was not only our esteemed colleague and a founding member of ArtsGroupie, she was also our best friend. Jill's joie de vivre, her whopping sense of humour and her no nonsense approach was something to behold. We're saddened never to hear her hearty laugh again or her hilarious tles. We still can't believe this could have happened.

We were there for Jill's final moments. Saying goodbye to our friend may have been one of the hardest things we will ever have to do. Her memory lives on in the work we do. We are more determined than ever to carry on the company that Jill championed to the very end.

Jill's passing leaves not only a hole in our lives but presents a legal quandary for ArtsGroupie. Out of respect to our dear friend, we will be making no announcements on the future of ArtsGroupie's board at the moment.

We are asking at this difficult time for your patience as we come to terms with losing Jill, and as we find our footing back into carrying on her legacy.

We are very honored to report that Jill's family have requested donations to ArtsGroupie in her memory. Posting on Facebook, Phil, Jill's brother wrote:

It is with the deepest sadness that I share the news my amazing sister Jill Smith passed on January 20th. It was very unexpected and has been an incredible shock to her family, friends, and colleagues. Jill will be deeply missed by all who knew her and loved her. Funeral services are scheduled for February 12th and in lieu of flowers we would ask for a donation in Jill’s name to Arts Groupie, an arts charity she both supported and loved.

Jill will always be a Co-Founder of ArtsGroupie and a part of our mission is to increase access to culture in areas of high deprivation. We do this through community workshops, plays, music, heritage walking tours, conservation and exhibitions.

Your donations will fund an annual travel writing contest in her memory. We have so many beautiful memories of traveling abroad with our friend. So, The Gillian Smith Travel Writing Prize will annually award excellence in travel writing with a £200 cash prize for the winner, a chance to have their work read publicly and book voucher prizes for runners up.

Any surplus funds from donations will help fund three ArtsGroupie stage productions which are travelling to the Edinburgh Fringe this year.

Working-class artists make up less than 1 in 10 of the arts industry, so your funds will help seven working class artists showcase their work. Among them Jill's friends and colleagues.

We thank the extraordinary generosity of Jill's family at this tragic time, and for supporting a company that Jill helped to build.

Instructions to make a donation can be found in a pdf which you can download here.

from the broken hearts of Family ArtsGroupie.