It's Got Legs- Great Northern Contemporary Fair
photo credits @msoa_craft
photo credits @msoa_craft
Grant/Funding
Grant/funding for ceramic artists post-graduates provides financial support, which will help me further develop my artistic practice, pursue new projects, and gain valuable experience. Applying for grants can cover expenses such as materials, studio space, travel, and equipment, allowing me to focus on my craft without financial constraints. Many grants support residencies, workshops, and exhibitions, which are crucial for skill development and gaining exposure. Grants often connect you with mentors, galleries, and collectors, opening doors for collaborations and future opportunities.
Craft Potters Association
As a ceramic artist who wants to intertwine nature, place, people and free art in my work, the Craft Potters Association (CPA) funding through the Craft Pottery Charitable Trust (CPCT) is a great opportunity. This fund, offering grants up to £1,500, is tailored for professional artists like myself, who seek to further their practice without the constraints of commercial pressures. By providing financial support for independent research, prototype development, residencies, and public exhibitions, the CPCT enables me to focus on creating impactful art accessible to all. This grant will help cover essential costs such as studio space and materials, ensuring that my work continues to enrich the community while exploring the dynamic interplay of natural elements within urban settings.
applying for a grant like this, as it's not a large amount that could support me throughout the year. £1500 max grant I would use this to cover the cost of a project similar to this. As you can't be financially stable giving away free art, I aim to do a project once a year creating free art and giving it away to the public. this will allow me to be financially stable whilst giving, inspiring and connecting with the public.
Making Waves
Although the application to Making Waves is currently closed I still want to research for the future by applying for a grant it will enable me to cover further projects and allow me to have the freedom not to worry about covering basic costs.
Working With In A Community
Altogether Otherwise is a community-based project group that welcomes members of the public to participate in its weekly activities, which include gardening, cooking, and crafts. The group provides a space for individuals to express their creativity, share their skills, and connect with others, fostering a sense of community and collaboration. Through these activities, Altogether Otherwise aims to strengthen social connections while encouraging personal and artistic growth.
I reached out to Ben, the project manager, to inquire about volunteering opportunities, as this is something I am deeply passionate about incorporating into my work. Engaging with the community and providing access to free art is a cause close to my heart, as it encourages creativity and fosters connections within the community. By immersing myself in projects like this, I can expand my own practice, interact with the public, and inspire greater creativity in urban spaces.
Residency
I want to explore residencies that are based in the UK and Europe, being dual nationality, I'm able to explore EU residencies where I can stay for an extended amount of time, allowing me to explore my practice more freely and look at more opportunities
A residency would be something that I want to look into after uni, as it provides dedicated time and space to focus on my ceramic art without the usual distractions of daily life. It offers an opportunity to immerse myself in a new environment, which can inspire fresh ideas and perspectives. Residencies often come with access to specialised equipment and resources, allowing me to experiment and refine my techniques. Additionally, I'll have the chance to connect with other artists and professionals, fostering valuable collaborations and networking opportunities. This supportive environment can enhance my artistic growth, boost my confidence, and potentially open doors to new exhibitions and projects.
Adopt A Potter
The Adopt a Potter scheme is an initiative designed to support the next generation of ceramic artists. Founded in 2009 by Lisa Hammond, this scheme funds one-year apprenticeships with master potters and ceramicists across the UK. The goal is to help ceramic students bridge the gap between completing their education and establishing their own studios by providing practical, technical, and business skills. Apprentices receive a stipend of £6,000 per year, paid monthly, which includes three weeks of paid holiday. Apprentices work alongside experienced potters, learning through direct teaching and observation of good practice. Apprentices assist the Trust at exhibitions and fairs and contribute by making and selling mugs, which helps fund the apprenticeship. Applicants need to identify a host potter and gain their consent to make a joint application. The application includes a form, CV, and images of the applicant's work. The scheme aims to secure the future of studio pottery by enabling me to develop the necessary skills to run my studios successfully. It's a wonderful opportunity for aspiring potters to gain hands-on experience and mentorship from established professionals.
I think this would be an amazing opportunity after uni, helping me find my place in the ceramic industry as a new creator. it also gives a hands-on experience, which is best as this is how I learn best: seeing, doing, and improving. this would be an amazing opportunity, and I want to apply just to gain confidence and practise applying.
Exhibitions
Visibility and Exposure: Exhibiting your work can introduce your art to a broader audience, including gallery owners, collectors, and art critics. This can lead to future opportunities and collaborations.
Networking: Art exhibitions are excellent places to meet other artists, curators, and industry professionals. Building these connections can be beneficial for your career and open doors to new projects.
Portfolio Building: Adding exhibitions to your portfolio can enhance your professional reputation. It shows that your work has been recognized and appreciated by the art community.
Feedback and Growth: Exhibitions provide a platform for receiving constructive feedback from diverse viewers, which can be invaluable for your artistic development.
Sales Opportunities: Exhibitions often provide opportunities to sell your work, which can support your practice financially.
Confidence Boost: Successfully preparing and presenting your work in an exhibition can be a significant confidence boost, validating your efforts and talent.
Other Art Fair
The Other Art Fair is a unique and exciting event that showcases the work of independent artists from around the world. Held at The Truman Brewery in London, this fair offers a vibrant and immersive experience for both artists and art lovers. The event features over 150 independent artists, specialising in all practises.
The fair is known for its unconventional and boundary-pushing approach to art, it will provide a platform for emerging artist to present their work to a large audience. It's a great opportunity for me to gain exposure, connect with potential buyers, and network with other creatives
Vertical Gallery
The Vertical Gallery is based at Manchester Metropolitan University, located in the Lowry Building, and is a dynamic exhibition space showcasing the work of undergraduate and postgraduate design students. Each year, students are invited to propose, pitch, and create ambitious, site-specific commissions. The gallery features a variety of works, including textiles, graphic design, illustration, and product design, often exploring themes such as displacement, identity, economic crisis, playfulness, and well-being. I am keen to attend the talk to further learn about the vertical galleries as I think it is a great opportunity to really push my thinking and ideas The Vertical Gallery provides students with financial support and the opportunity to work closely with academic staff and the gallery team to realise their creative ambitions. It's a fantastic platform for emerging artists to gain exposure and engage with the public, fostering a vibrant and collaborative artistic community.
Thomas Heatherwick
I attended a talk with Thomas Heatherwick, a renowned British designer and architect known for his innovative and imaginative approach to architecture, public spaces, and design. His designs emphasise innovation and playfulness and challenge traditional architects. He is known for his engaging public spaces, inviting people to interact and be involved. Heatherwick talked a lot about the public engagement he fills with his designs, creating spaces for people to engage and connect. Heatherwick talked a lot about the importance of bringing green spaces to our city and the importance green places have in impacting the public positively. This talk about green spaces in the city got me thinking about my own experiences and was a vital changing point within my practice. Taking in what he was saying about green space positively affecting people in cities, changing the cityscape into a brighter place allows people to connect back to nature, and that is something that sparked interest within me. Allowing me to find what I wanted my work to achieve and giving me the confidence to change the pathway of my practice, changing it from functional ceramics/tableware to more explorative practice, exploring a conversation I'm interested in mental health in cities.
Little Island 2013, New York
Maggies Yorkshire, 2012, Leeds