Lucky Dip Bursaries

Applications are now open for Lucky Dip 2026 / 2027

 

The Lucky Dip bursary scheme offers eight artists in the SO postcode £500 to fund the creation of a new artwork or activity.

The application process is light-touch and proposals are not assessed. The bursaries will be awarded to artists through a lottery selection. This experimental approach seeks to proactively remove barriers around application and selection processes. ‘a space’ arts is committed to becoming an anti-racist organisation and as part of this work four of the Lucky Dip Bursaries will be offered to global majority* artists.

Please note, this bursary scheme is only open to artists aged 18+. Unfortunately previous recipients of the Lucky Dip bursary are not eligible to reapply. 

 

How to apply:

Follow the links below to read the application guidance and access the online form.

Click here to apply 

Click here to read the full brief 

 

Deadline for applications: Monday 11th May, 9am

Questions? You can contact Mia Delve by:

If you have any questions please also contact Mia Delve before Thursday 7th May 2026 at 5pm.


Objectives:

  • To fund new and exciting works of art or artistic activity.
  • To encourage artists to experiment and take risks.
  • To get more money directly to local artists to make work.
  • To support artists in the city from a variety of communities.
  • To remove the barriers created by conventional application and selection processes and reduce discrimination towards artists who find funding applications lengthy and difficult.

 

*Notes on terminology:

  • We acknowledge language is fluid and evolving and aim to ensure our use of language remains inclusive and inoffensive.
  • As an organisation we have joined the movement to reject the acronym BAME as this state-manufactured term flattens and depoliticises global solidarity between people with a lived experiences of racism.
  • We acknowledge the term ‘people of global majority’ as it is factually true with over 80% of the world’s population making up the global majority of non-white peoples.

 

Please note, this bursary scheme is only open to artists aged 18+. Unfortunately previous recipients of the Lucky Dip bursary are not eligible to reapply. 

Previous Lucky Dip Bursary Recipients