This opportunity is now closed.

Spike Island is pleased to announce the fourth edition of the Dreamtime Fellowship, a programme initiated and fully funded by Bristol-based artist Luke Jerram.

The Dreamtime Fellowship 2023-24, is now open to applications from Bristol-based artists who have graduated from a BA or MA Fine Art course from any institution within the last five years.

The successful applicant will be granted:

• 24-hour access to a shared studio space at Spike Island for a year (from October 2023 to September 2024)
• Annual membership to the Spike Island Associates network, which offers free access to regular talks, studio visits from artists, critics and curators, and peer-to-peer learning and support
• A £5,000 bursary
• Three one-to-one mentoring sessions with Luke Jerram throughout the year

This is a fantastic opportunity for self-led professional development and to launch your career as an artist. You can read about the current Dreamtime Fellow here.

CONDITIONS

The Fellowship is for Bristol-based artists who have graduated from a BA or MA Fine Art course from any institution within the last five years.

Spike Island is committed to anti-racism and to addressing inequality in the arts sector. We strongly encourage applications from people from Global Majority backgrounds and/or who identify as disabled, LGBTQI+, working class, care experienced, or living or working in areas of socioeconomic deprivation in Bristol.

The selected candidate will be expected to take part in Spike Island Open Studios in May 2024. Unfortunately, current or former Spike Island studio holders are not eligible to apply for this Fellowship.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications should be submitted digitally as a single PDF document under 10MB. This should include:

• A current CV (up to 2 pages)
• A statement (750 words in total) which outlines your practice (up to 250 words); describes how you would use your time at Spike Island (up to 250 words); and explains why being awarded the Fellowship would be useful at this point in your development (up to 250 words).
• 6-10 images of recent work, with relevant captions
• Your contact details (all applicants must be contactable by phone or email between the submission and interview dates)

Following the submission of your application you will be prompted to complete an equal opportunities form which will be separated from your application form and used for monitoring purposes only. All applicants will receive an automated email to confirm that their application has been received successfully. 

DEADLINE TO APPLY: Sunday 23 July, 11.59pm

We realise that text-based applications do not suit everyone, so if you would like to discuss applying in a different way, or if you require this application form in a different format, please get in touch with us by email: saphia.venner@spikeisland.org.uk

SELECTION PROCESS

Applications will be reviewed by Spike Island’s Curator and artist Luke Jerram. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an online interview on Wednesday 30 August 2023. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by Friday 1 September 2023. Unsuccessful applicants are welcome to reapply in future years.

Please submit your application via the form at the bottom of this page.

ABOUT LUKE JERRAM

Luke Jerram’s multidisciplinary practice involves the creation of sculptures, installations and live arts projects. Living in the Bristol but working internationally since 1997, Jerram has created a number of extraordinary art projects which have excited and inspired people around the globe.

With many of his artworks in permanent collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Wellcome Collection in London, he also tours his art installations to art festivals and museums worldwide. In 2022 alone he had 104 exhibitions in 25 different countries, visited by more than 2 million people.

Having had a studio at Spike Island for more than 10 years, he recently set up his own studio at Paintworks. Now an established artist, he’s keen to support the next generation of artists in Bristol.

www.lukejerram.com

ABOUT SPIKE ISLAND

Spike Island is a dynamic arts centre that supports, produces and presents contemporary art across an 80,000 square foot former industrial building near Bristol’s harbourside. We engage audiences in our work through a diverse programme of exhibitions and interdisciplinary events; and we directly support artists through major new commissions, subsidised studios and critically-engaged artist development opportunities that widen access to our programme and facilities.

We also offer bespoke exhibition services and are home to Emmeline café, workspaces for designers and creative businesses, and UWE Bristol’s Fine Arts programme.

Our studios currently support over 70 artists at various stages in their careers, working across all media in shared and individual studios that are accessible 24/7. Many have excellent natural light and all artists have access to workshop and kitchen facilities. In addition to offering quiet places to work, Spike Island aims to facilitate a dynamic, creative and critically-engaged environment of mutual support and collaboration.