About Alira Arts
Our Mission
Our mission is to empower artists, preserve cultural heritage, and uplift diverse artistic voices. We understand that navigating grants and funding can be overwhelming, and traditional art education doesn’t always prepare creatives for financial sustainability.
That’s why we provide hands-on guidance – equipping individuals and cultural organisations with practical skills, mentorship, and confidence to navigate the funding landscape. In short, we align art and culture with impactful fundraising, turning creative visions into reality.
Our Leadership
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Hannah Thomas
FOUNDER & CO-CEO
Hannah Thomas is a fundraising consultant and cultural leader with a proven track record of helping arts, culture, and heritage organisations secure the funding they need to thrive. She is the Founder of Alira Arts, a consultancy dedicated to supporting creative projects through tailored fundraising strategies, capital campaigns, and sector-specific training.
Alongside her consultancy work, Hannah is CEO of Cayr Charity, where she champions the role of creativity in public health, leading projects that address women’s health, dementia, and young people’s wellbeing. She is also a CORE20PLUS5 NHS Ambassador, working nationally to tackle health inequalities through creative approaches.
Over the past decade, Hannah has supported a wide range of organisations, from grassroots charities to national institutions, raising millions in grants, trusts, foundations, and major donor income. Her work is rooted in collaboration, clarity, and a belief in the power of creativity to drive meaningful change.
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Ahmed El-Mohankr
CO-CEO
Ahmed serves as Co-Chief Executive Officer at Alira Arts, He brings strong skills in project management and system administration, helping to keep the organisation running smoothly and strategically aligned.
With a professional background as a Quality Assurance Engineer in software, Ahmed has a sharp eye for detail and process. ensuring high standards, efficiency, and reliable systems across Alira Arts’ work. His blend of technical expertise and passion makes him a vital part of the organisation’s growth and innovation.
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Janeen Loh
Fundraising Administration & Coordinator
Janeen Loh is an arts manager with extensive experience in grant management, stakeholder engagement, and programme development.
Before joining Alira Arts, she spent over five years with the National Arts Council Singapore, where she managed grants and partnerships supporting the dance and traditional arts sectors. In that role, she worked closely with artists, arts groups, and international partners to strengthen and grow the local arts ecosystem.
Her experience in public arts funding has given her deep insight into the sustainability challenges faced by artists and organisations. At Alira Arts, Janeen is committed to helping practitioners navigate these challenges, drawing on her understanding of arts funding and administration to support the organisation in empowering artists to thrive in a complex funding landscape.
Our Clients
Interested in sharing your project or funding goals? Contact us here.
Our Expertise
Alira Arts provides a range of services to meet your needs, from strategic consulting to hands-on training. Our core offerings include:
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Specialising in grants from charitable trusts and foundations, we write tailored, compelling applications that align with your goals – increasing your chances of securing funding and delivering successful projects
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We offer strategic guidance for major fundraising initiatives (capital campaigns), helping you build sustainable income streams, strengthen funder relationships, and secure long-term support for your big projects.
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Our fundraising masterclasses are practical, hands-on workshops that provide you with the skills and confidence to secure funding, write strong proposals, and turn your creative vision into reality. These training sessions empower artists and organisations to navigate the funding maze with success.
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Expert feedback on your National Lottery Project Grants or DYCP application tailored guidance to help artists and organisations submit stronger, clearer proposals with confidence.
Together we can help creativity flourish.
At Alira Arts, we’re more than consultants, we’re partners in your journey. Let’s work side by side to help the arts thrive.