Grants
Breakthrough Artist Fellowship
Our current grant programme focuses on supporting promising graduate artists who face a range of economic, social, cultural, physical and mental health barriers so that they can forge sustainable careers as artists.
The Breakthrough Artist Fellowship supports emerging artists in the transitional period between completing visual arts degrees and embarking on a professional career as an artist or designer. Fellows are awarded a bursary and are equipped with the tools needed to advance their careers.
The Breakthrough Artist Fellowship is delivered annually in partnership with selected Higher Education Institutions and other cultural organisations, running from October 2024–October 2025.
Breakthrough Artist Fellows are selected by their Higher Education Institution (HEI). Fellows each receive unrestricted funding to support living costs, materials and other expenditure incurred during the Fellowship.
Our HEI partners match this support in-kind by providing valuable studio space, resources and mentorship from academic staff relevant to the Fellows’ creative practice.
Breakthrough Artist Fellows also take part in a comprehensive professional development programme including the opportunity to co-curate an end-of-Fellowship group showcase.
Breakthrough Artist Fellows each receive:
£10,000 grant paid directly from the Artists Futures Fund to the Fellow to support living costs, materials and other costs incurred during the Fellowship period plus a travel bursary to attend in-person events.
Full-time access to studio space, resources and creative facilities provided in-kind by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
Access to a qualified mentor and career development advice from their host HEI.
Opportunities to attend online and in-person professional development & networking events led by cultural partners.
An opportunity to co-curate an end-of-Fellowship showcase with the 2024–25 cohort of Breakthrough Artist Fellows.
Applications for the 2024-25 Fellowship have now closed and will re-open Spring 2025.
Joy Installation (2019) by Emily Hett, one of the recipients of our Step Change Fellowship, 2019–20 — photo: Samuel Smith
“The Fellowship has allowed me to feel stable (in terms of finance and a creative space) enough to continue my practice to further pursue a career within the art world.”Kia May Page multimedia artist Step Change Fellow, 2021–22
Who are we looking to support?
Our Fellowships are awarded to graduate artists in need of support — namely, those experiencing economic, societal or physical or health challenges — so that they are able to fulfil their visual arts practice and establish sustainable careers as artists.
Fellows should possess the appropriate approach, skill and ambition to embark on a professional career as an artist or designer.
Candidates should be able to demonstrate:
Exceptional engagement and promise in their visual arts discipline.
How the Fellowship will support them to overcome economic, social, cultural, physical and health barriers that would otherwise prevent them from progressing their creative and professional practice.
Enthusiasm and commitment to be a positive ambassador for the growing community of Breakthrough Artist Fellows.
Successful candidates must have:
Graduated within one year from one of our selected partner Higher Education Institutions with a BA or MA degree in Visual Arts.
Be able to fully commit to the Fellowship starting in October.
Be eligible to live, study and work the UK.