Our Support

Breakthrough Artist Fellowship 2026–27

The Breakthrough Artist Fellowship supports early-career visual artists facing significant barriers to building sustainable creative futures. We believe artists should not be held back by economic, social, cultural, physical, or mental health barriers. This Fellowship provides time, resources, and support to help you develop your existing work and take the next steps in your practice.

For full details, download the Fellowship programme pack.

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Artists Futures Fund
Partner Institutions 2026–27 

Cardiff School of Art & Design

Chichester College Group

Liverpool Hope University

Loughborough University

Manchester School of Art

City of Portsmouth College

University of Sunderland

Swansea College of Art, UWTSD

NB: City of Portsmouth College —
Pilot Further Education Fellowship 2026–27

Fellowship structure and support:

  • Studio access and facilities

    Full time access to studio space, technical facilities, and creative resources to support the development of new work.

  • Unrestricted bursary

    Each Fellow receives a £10,000 bursary to support basic living costs, materials, and other expenses during the 10-month Fellowship (October 2026–July 2027).

  • Mentorship and professional development

    Mentorship and a structured professional programme of online and in-person development opportunities.

  • Public and community engagement

    Opportunities to engage practice through collaboration, exchange, and participation.

  • Exhibition opportunities

    A solo show in the city they are based and cocurated London Group Showcase, plus access to sector networks.

  • Alumni network programme

    Ongoing connection to a network of AFF Artist Fellows and continued support beyond the programme.

Apply

To access the application form, please contact your host partner institution directly.

Watch AFF Fellows films

Watch a series of short films featuring past Breakthrough Artist Fellows, sharing how the Fellowship helped them develop their practice, exhibit work, overcome challenges, and build sustainable creative careers. 

AFF Fellows 2024–25: Niamh Tam, Dale Hardy, Lauren Pitson, Lily Rees

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Breakthrough Artist Fellowship applicants should meet the following criteria:

  • Be currently facing significant socio-economic, mental and / or physical health barriers to building a sustainable creative future

  • Have completed a BA or MA in a visual arts degree within the last two years from an AFF Partner Institution by 1 October 2026, or have completed a Level 3 UAL Diploma or A Levels in a relevant arts course within two years from City of Portsmouth College by 1 October 2026

  • Have a clear, self-directed idea of what they want to achieve through the Fellowship

  • Be eligible to live and work in England or Wales for the duration of the Fellowship (including visas, as required)

  • Be able to fully commit to the 10-month Fellowship period (October 2026 – July 2027), without undertaking additional formal study (part-time work is permitted)

  • Be willing to arrange appropriate Public Liability Insurance prior to the start of the Fellowship (with support from the host institution where applicable)

NB: applicants are asked to confirm their eligibility as part of the application process.

Further guidelines

  • The Fellowship is intended for early-career visual artists who:

    • Face significant barriers to sustaining a creative practice

    • Demonstrate artistic promise, ambition, and vision for a sustainable practice

    • Have a clear interest in developing their practice and future trajectory

    • Would meaningfully benefit from the support offered through the Fellowship

  • Applications are reviewed across:

    • Artistic Practice

    • Vision for the Fellowship and Future Practice

    • Potential for the Fellowship to help reduce barriersm description

  • Over 10 months (October 2026–July 2027), Fellows are supported to:

    • Focus on their artistic development

    • Explore ideas and create new work

    • Make use of facilities, resources, and networks

    • Engage with communities in ways that are meaningful to their practice

    • Build confidence and take steps towards a sustainable creative career

    • Crafting effective artist statements and portfolios

    • Approaching galleries and building professional networks

    • Writing funding applications and navigating opportunities

    • Inclusive curatorial practices

    • Financial literacy (budgeting, sustainable income planning)

    • Pricing artworks and understanding market contexts

    • Copyright, contracts, and legal frameworks

    • Ethics and emerging issues (e.g. AI in the creative sector)

    • Applications open: 15 May 2026

    • Deadline: 12 June 2026

    • Fellowship begins: early October 202s

Art installation with colorful, hanging yarn strands from the ceiling, creating shadows on a plain wall in a room with wooden floors.

Cascading Sensations (2025)
—
2025–26 Breakthrough Artist Fellow, Heidi Lucca-Redcliffe

Colorful abstract art installation with irregularly shaped sculptures on the floor and painted shapes on white walls, featuring bright colors and patterns.

Joy Installation (2019) by Emily Hett, one of the
recipients of our Step Change Fellowship, 2019–20
Photo: Samuel Smith

“The Fellowship has allowed me to feel stable (in terms of finance and a creative space) enough to continue my practice to further pursue a career within the art world.”
Kia May Page
multimedia artist
Step Change Fellow, 2021⁠–⁠22