Short Description
CVAN EM Bigger Bursary opportunity builds on a pilot programme in 2024-25 which saw five £1500 bursaries awarded to artists from each of the region’s counties. CVAN EM will now award one larger bursary of £2500 to an artist or arts worker living or professionally based in the East Midlands.
This change to our bursaries scheme has been made following a review of the pilot programme conducted with our Steering Group and 2024-25 bursary recipients. By offering a bursary that better supports applicants’ time and skills we hope to go some way towards acknowledging the energy artists and arts workers put into applying for creative opportunities and funding.
What can CVAN EM’s Bigger Bursary support?
Bursaries can contribute towards or fund the following:
- R&D (your time)
- Production
- Fabrication
- Mentoring
- Match funding (for other applications/opportunities)
- Skill development
- Seed funding
- Purchase of equipment
- Making new work
- Access support
- Event delivery
- Workshop delivery
- Collaboration
- Studio rent
- Community engagement
- Professional training
- Or a combination of the above
Eligibility
CVAN EM’s Bigger Bursary supports the development of ambitious activity with a focus on the visual arts. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to contemporary art, and can be artists or arts workers wanting to develop their practice.
- Applicants must be living or professionally based in the East Midlands (Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire or Rutland)
- Applicants who demonstrate a commitment to contemporary art.
- Applicants wanting to fund ambitious activity with a focus on the visual arts.
- Applicants can apply as an individual or collective.
- Applicants can be PhD candidates.
- Applicants who have applied for previous rounds can apply.
Submission Requirements
- A completed application form (.doc, .docx, or PDF). We accept alternative means of application
e.g., in the body of an email, via Google Drive, video or audio recording. All applications must still
respond to the criteria above and address all sections of the application form in their responses. - Up to 5 images (jpeg, max 2MB each, or PDF) or website link(s) (e.g., for video, audio, text based,
performance or socially engaged work). - A simple budget demonstrating you have considered and researched how the £2500 will be spent.
This should be provided in a list or spreadsheet format (e.g., .doc, .docx, PDF, .xlsx, Google
Sheets). Please consider the limitations of the bursary funds available. - A completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form. Completed forms will be reviewed by the
CVAN EM Bursaries administrator but will not be shared with the selection panel. Forms will be
compiled and data shared with the CVAN EM Steering Group at the point of project evaluation.
How to Apply
Applications should be returned via email to colette@cvaneastmidlands.co.uk.
Program Benefits & Awards
CVAN EM’s Bigger Bursary opportunity builds on a pilot programme in 2024-25, which saw five £1500
bursaries awarded to artists from each of the region’s counties. CVAN EM will now award one larger
bursary of £2500 to an artist or arts worker living or professionally based in the East Midlands.
1-2-1 mentoring with CVAN EM’s Director will also be available to the bursary recipient.
Entry Fee
None
Location
Nottingham, United Kingdom
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 20 August 2025
Website Link: https://cvaneastmidlands.co.uk/cvan-ems-bigger-bursary/#:~:text=CVAN%20EM%20will%20now%20award,and%202024%2D25%20bursary%20recipients.
