The Turning Point Bursary for Visual Artists 2022
Artist Opportunity, Artist Resources, Opportunities
Friday 29th April 9:00am – Monday 6th June 2022 9:00am
‘a space’ arts is pleased to announce the re-launch of our biennial talent development bursary programme under its new name ‘The Turning Point Bursary for Visual Artists’.
We’re inviting visual artists at a turning point in their artistic career to propose and carry out a 6 month programme of activity to develop their practice.
The Turning Point Bursary programme acts as a springboard to extend existing interests and explore new territories by enabling visual artists to propose a development project that is responsive to their needs, aligned with their practice, ambition, career position and long-term goals.
Previous projects selected have involved testing out new ideas and experimentation, creating or developing new work, mentoring and gaining skills and knowledge, but proposals can differ from these examples as long as applicants can make the case for it contributing to the development of their practice.
There are 8 places available on the 2022 programme, and the bursary is open to individual artists, collaborations and collectives, though only one bursary will be awarded per application.
This is a 1 stage application. All applicants can book an optional 1-to-1 application support session with Artist Development Officer, Mary Cork, in advance of submitting.
Successful applicants to the Turning Point Bursary for Visual Artists will receive:
- £1000 bursary to support their proposed activity.
- Three 1-to-1 support sessions with the ‘a space’ arts Creative Programme team over 6 months.
- Two group meetings with other Turning Point Bursary recipients, organised with the purpose of developing a final public sharing event at ‘a space’ venue God’s House Tower; a chance to share new work, skills or knowledge gained through their project.
- Participation in the final public sharing event at God’s House Tower in February 2023.
To apply for the programme you must:
- Be an artist or group with an active, critically engaged practice in the visual arts*.
- Be based (live or work) within the SO postcode area.
- Explain why you consider yourself to be at a turning point in your practice and how this opportunity will help you develop as an artist.
- Be able to complete your project within the timeframe (6 months).
*Previous recipients of an ‘a space’ Talent Development Bursary are not eligible.
Decisions will be made by a panel comprised of ‘a space’ creative programme representatives and an external assessor based on the following criteria:
- Whether the applicant is based in the SO postcode area.
- Clarity of proposal including a good understanding of the objectives the artist hopes to achieve.
- The level of benefit the bursary will bring to an artist’s visual art practice and its potential to facilitate meaningful ‘turning point’ support for the artist, as explained through their proposal.
- How the applicants practice might function as part of a cohort of other recipient visual artists and their potential to contribute to a final sharing event.
- Aims that are achievable within the 6 month timeframe and a realistic budget.
To apply please email [email protected] with the following:
- A proposal including a description your proposed development activity, an explanation of why you feel you’re at a turning point in your career and the impact that this activity will have on your practice. (.pdf format, max 1 side of A4).
- A separate simple budget document indicating how you will spend the £1000 bursary. (.pdf format, 1 side of A4).
- A link to your work online or up to 6 images attached to your application.
Successful applicants will be notified by the 10th June.
Deadline for proposals – Monday 6th June 9am
To book your 1-to-1 application support session or to request specialist access support please email [email protected]
You can download the application information as a PDF here
If you require large print, you can download a PDF here