Up-and-coming artists from Essex and Suffolk are being invited to apply for the 2023 Firstsite Collectors’ Group Bursary Awards.
The scheme aims to support artists working in Essex and Suffolk with their professional career development. These annual awards – for amounts ranging between £100 and £1,000 – are made possible through the Collectors’ Group continuing engagement and interest in contemporary visual art.
Applications to the Bursary Awards scheme should demonstrate ambition, and a commitment to or development of the applicant’s current artistic practice. Proposals can be made to contribute towards the costs of making new artwork, purchase of equipment, research and travel, exhibition making and other forms of professional development.
Applications open on 20 October and close at 5pm on 26th November 2023. You can download an application form here: https://firstsite.uk/firstsite-collectors-group-bursary-awards-2023/
In 2022, the scheme invested £6,054 to fund 15 artists working in a variety of fields, including performance, curation, glass, sculpture, film, sound, augmented reality, environment, weaving, painting and print.
Jane Hindley, Chair of the Collectors’ Group says, “‘The Collectors’ Group Bursary Awards scheme goes from strength to strength. We have been so impressed with the high quality, professionalism and range of applications over the last few years from artists working in Essex and Suffolk. This has been reflected in the increase in the number of Awards given to our local artists and we very much look forward to another great year of applications.”
Sally Shaw, Firstsite Director says: “The Firstsite Collectors’ Group Bursary Awards are a highlight in our calendar, providing much needed support to local artists. Each year these Awards support such a wide range of diverse local artists to grow and develop their careers. We are incredibly grateful to the Firstsite Collectors’ Group for supporting these awards and continuing their commitment to develop and strengthen contemporary visual art in Essex and Suffolk. A key aim of Firstsite is to empower everyone to be creative together to inspire positive change and The Firstsite Collectors’ Group and the Bursary Awards make an invaluable contribution to this.”
