Breakthrough Artist Fellowship

ABF has been supporting artists for over 200 years. Today we aim to enable artists to launch, develop and sustain a professional career through partnerships with Higher Education Institutions

ABF’s Breakthrough Artist Fellowship was launched in Spring 2024 and is a 10-month programme delivered in partnership with selected Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across England and Wales running from October 2024 -July 2025.

In 2024/25 five Fellowships will be awarded across five partner HEIs. The Breakthrough Artist Fellowship offers a significant opportunity for emerging artists to advance their career while at the same time being a role model for undergraduate art students.

Fellowship details

ABF Breakthrough Artist Fellows will each receive:

  • £10,000 grant from ABF paid directly to the artist (two equal instalments in October 2024 and February 2025), plus a travel bursary to attend in-person Fellowship events.

  • Full-time access to studio space and creative facilities providing by HEI partners, appropriate to the professional needs of the artist’s subject specialism, plus a workspace in a shared office with access to the internet.

  • Access to a qualified mentor/academic staff, and to financial and career development advice based within the HEI.

  • Access to the technical facilities and resources of the HEI partner art school, with guest status and University card, email and online account.

  • Opportunities to attend regular online and in-person professional development & networking events delivered by ABF in partnership with arts sector professionals, attended by current Fellows and past alumni.

  • An opportunity to co-curate a group end-of-year showcase with the Breakthrough Artist Fellowship 2024/25 cohort.

Eligibility

Who are we looking to support?

Applicants should possess the appropriate approach, skill and ambition to embark on a professional career as an artist or designer. This year, ABF encourages applications both from students completing undergraduate and MA programmes in summer 2024 as well as recent alumni (up to one year since graduating) from relevant visual arts programmes at our selected partner Higher Education Institutions, and who are looking to further develop their professional creative practice.  

Candidates must demonstrate:

  • Exceptional engagement and promise in their visual arts discipline 

  • Ambition, skill and a strong commitment to establishing a professional arts career

  • Enthusiasm and commitment to be a positive ambassador for ABF’s Breakthrough Artist Fellowship

  • Plus, outline how the Fellowship will support them to overcome economic, social, cultural, physical and mental health barriers that would otherwise prevent them from progressing their creative and professional practice.

Successful candidates will:

  • Have graduated from one of ABF’s five selected partner Higher Education Institutions by October 2024

  • Be eligible to live, study and work in England or Wales

  • Arrange public liability insurance (arranged with HEI partner)

  • Have self-employed tax status (arranged with HMRC)

To find out more, please visit How to Apply.

"this last year has been so far beyond my wildest expectations"

Painter, Joshua Donkor