In partnership with the Artists' Benevolent Fund (ABF), the ABF Step Change Programme provides sponsorship funds to artists in England and Wales to help to launch, sustain and develop their careers.
The Fellowships are open to recent graduates who are looking to pursue a professional career as an artist, and have been set up to support artists who are facing difficulty in developing their career or embarking on an artistic career full-time.
The successful applicants will receive £10,000 cash from the ABF as well as access to a range of facilities including studio space in Fine Art, support from academic, technical and professional staff, and a £250 materials budget. In addition, ABF will give each Fellow a grant to help them develop international opportunities and the University will give free access to trips visiting art galleries and museums.
Professor Cees de Bont, Dean, School of Design and Creative Arts stated: “This is an incredible opportunity to further develop creative talents and to make your mark by showcasing the work to a wide audience of art lovers.”
The partnership with ABF has grown out of postdoctoral research by Dr Antoinette Burchill into East Midlands’ visual arts creative economy and cultural infrastructure, and the gap it identified in support for 18- to 34-year-old visual artists. Dr Burchill is also a Fine Art University Teacher at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ.
The Step Change Fellowships will commence on 5 October 2020 for one year and will be based within Fine Art at the University.