Help secure my place at The Royal College of Art, London

Hi friends, family, and comrades in Art,

I’ve been accepted into the Royal College of Art (RCA) in London, the #1 ranked school globally for Art & Design (This work got me Accepted.) This is once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to internationally expand my artistic network & practice by studying at RCA in the Arts & Humanities Print MA program (fall 2026.) To secure my place as a student, it has been requested that I make a deposit of $3,500 USD to secure my spot within the next two weeks towards my tuition.

With your contribution you will become a patron of Fine Art by supporting an Independent Black American Artist who is committed to shaping culture, preserving history, and creating work that serves humanity.

Why This Matters

Many of you may know of me as an Art Director and Graphic Designer For those who are becoming familiar my name is Zakia, I am the first born of my mother & father, and first in my family afforded the opportunity to pursue an academic career in the Arts. I have been an artist from the time I was born. I created my 1st mosaic table top piece with the support of my grandmother at the age of 7, and I've been creating since.

I spent the past decade studying Design (BFA Graphic Design) and first half of my career dedicated to telling multicultural stories in the Advertising business, as well as Independently Designing for projects which centered underrepresented & under resourced communities .

At the top of 2025 I was one of the many Creatives in the industry struck by a lay off that turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Although the economic impact of this led to a challenging experience of housing, food & financial insecurity for over a year- it also brought me immense clarity towards aligning me with my path of becoming a Fine Artist with full force.

KIMBAL ARTS X ILA Creative Studios 2026 Artist In Residency Opening Reception.

My desire to pursue my masters in the Print program comes after six years of commitment to printmaking here in Chicago. The practice has aided me in redefining my relationship to labor, and Self-Actualization through printmaking. I am deeply drawn to the historic role printmaking has had both as a spiritual tool and method of communication, spanning cultures and centuries. As we move further into the age of Artificial Intelligence, I am committed to preserving and evolving this ancient practice, ensuring that tactile, human-centered processes remain vital to our future.

RCA’s long-standing reputation as a global leader in the arts motivates me to expand my work within an institution that values research, critique, and interdisciplinary practice. My interest in this program stems directly from the access offered at the institute, the alumni reputation, and my goal to bring my first solo exhibition into fruition.

About the Work I’m Building

My first solo exhibition will feature printed matter and interdisciplinary installations incorporating paper, wood, glass, audio, visual, and environmental design. The work acts as a contemporary site for Self- Actualization, displaying reclamation of autonomy through the lived experience of a Black American Woman. The final exhibition invites viewers into how the impact of an individual transformation can lead to a communal transformation.

Attending RCA will give me essential access to studio and print facilities, academic research, multicultural perspectives, and critical dialogue—tools necessary to challenge my methods, deepen my thinking, and expand the scale of my work.

As I continue to recover from the implications of the lay off, all of the funds I make from Art sales & working engagements are allocated to meeting basic needs, which is why I need your help locking in this big goal!

How Your Support Helps

All of the $3,500 raised will directly secure my enrollment at RCA, allowing me to:

>Confirm my place in the 2026 Art & Humanities Print program (MA)

>Access world-class print and interdisciplinary studios

>Develop new bodies of work rooted in intention and collective care

> Send a Black Woman to London for academic studies <3

Any, and all support within your capacity whether it be donating or sharing this with your network would be greatly appreciated!

With Gratitude

-Kia