Artist Development Scheme

We're on the look-out for Jewish artists to take part in our new pilot scheme, which offers the opportunity for both professional and artistic growth. Our Artist Development programme aims to encourage engagement with the rich diversity of Jewish heritage and consideration of what it means to make art as a Jew in the UK today.

This scheme is for early and mid-career artists working in any visual arts discipline who are interested in exploring their Jewishness as part of an artistic practice.

What is involved?

  • Masterclasses.

  • Engagement with Jewish texts and culture.

  • Opportunities to network with established artists, curators and gallerists.

  • A stipend of £2,000.

  • Publication opportunities.

  • A chance to display your work in a final exhibition.

Requirements for applicants:

Participants need to:

  • Self-identify as Jewish.

  • Have demonstrated a high standard of artistic practice (a BA in Fine Art or related subject is desirable but not essential).

  • Have an artistic practice in which visual art is a main component.

  • Live in the UK and have the right to work in the UK.

This scheme is for any UK-based Jewish artist who wishes to engage with Jewish text, heritage and culture, and develop their professional practice. In addition to submitting a portfolio, we will ask applicants to write a piece about their Jewish identity and why they wish to take part in this programme.

Please note, the scheme will take place partly online and partly in person. Reasonable travel expenses will be provided for those travelling outside of the city or town in which they live.

Deadline for applications: Monday 18 November

Interviews will be held Monday-Thursday w/c Monday 2 December. Applicants will be notified if they have a place on the scheme by Wednesday 11 December.

Full programme

February-March

Masterclasses

Two in-person and four online sessions will enable participants to get to know one another and their work; learn from Jewish educators, curators and artists; and explore how the depth and breadth of Jewish text and cultural heritage might relate to their practice. 

In person sessions

Sunday 2 February & Sunday 16 March (daytime)

Online sessions

Wednesday 12, 19 & 26 February, 5 March (evenings) 

Participants will be required to attend every session. Exact timings will be announced nearer the time.

March-October

Research & Development

Artists will have time to explore their own practice, supported by check-ins and group crits. Over this time, they will develop work for a final exhibition, which will take place in October.

From May to July, there will be six additional sessions, which will combine professional skills – financial planning, marketing and social media, legal, grant writing, photographing and archiving art, and legacy building – and sessions with established Jewish artists and curators about Jewish art. These will take place partly online and partly in person (in-person dates will be Sundays).

There will also be opportunities to join Jewish Renaissance for art-related trips at subsidised rates.

Late October/November

There will be an exhibition of the work of the cohort in a public space, as well as publication of the participating artists’ work online and in print. 

Check back for further information about session topics, speakers and timings, which will be added to this page in due course.