2024 Artist Bursaries

We are offering 5 Artist Bursaries for artists aged 30 and under, to work with an established artist mentor. The bursaries are to give artists a platform if they cannot afford the registration fee, and if they could do with a regular contact with someone who has opened their studio before.

Application priority is being given to artists who cannot afford the Site Festival registration. As a small artist-led team we want to support those with barriers and don't have the means to ask for proof of income even if we felt the need to.

So we trust that artists will apply if the registration fee is unreachable (don’t forget the 50% discount for young artists - find out more on the Fees page).

Deadline extended - Applications for bursaries are open until 22nd February.

  1. so apply now using this simple form.

Need help? Email site@sva.org.uk or kazz@sva.org.uk. Or visit the SVA office during opening hours.

The bursary will include:

  1. a fully funded Open Studios registration, with the value of £226.

  2. mentor match with an established OS Artist

  3. and the opportunity to use the Site Festival platform to further your art practice and visability.

We will expect:

  1. each artist to proactively work with the mentor and collaborate in a way that is appropriate for you both. Our hope is that both the bursary artists and mentors will mutually benefit and learn from one another.

  2. each artist to use the Site Festival online platforms (social media, mailings and website) to benefit your work, as well as proactively publicising Open Studios

  3. approximately 10 hours of supportive work in the SVA office and beyond - for example, helping with the Taster Exhibition, distribution, planning or social media.

How to Apply

  1. Complete the application form before 22nd February at midday.

  2. We will notify you within a couple of days if your application has been successful.

  3. You will still need to do the Open Studios registration. We will contact you about completing a registration form with an extended deadline so that you can be included in the festival directory. If you need support to find a studio in this case please email the office team immediately: site@sva.org.uk for the attention of Kazz and Jessy.

What do you get out of it?

At SVA we’ve always worked with young artists, since we began over 25 years ago. We have a lot of connections, and we want to break down the barriers that are stopping artists getting where they want to be.

You get :

  • a free registration slot - the full fee is £226 and we know that can be unreachable for emerging artists.

  • an artist mentor who can introduce you to Open Studios

  • some experience working with us at SVA, either with an exhibition or similar, which is helpful experience for the future.

  • a lot of free publicity, exposure and experience.

We will pair you with another artist who perhaps :

  • has the time to share their knowledge and experience

  • has a solid network that they can introduce you to - sometimes having the right contacts gets artists where they need to be

  • has experience with taking part in Open Studios and has a wealth of knowledge they can pass on to you

  • has spare studio space that you can use

  • has an interest in collaborating with someone new, or wants a new challenge

If your application is not successful:
If not selected for this opportunity you are still welcome to be part of SITE Festival 2024. Don't forget, if you're under 25 artists get 50% discount from the registration fees.