Spike Island Associates Space
UWE X Spike Island Associates Bursaries
20 Bursaries available, open to School of Arts BA and MA graduates (2025)
Deadline for applications: Monday 14 July, 11.59pm
Soon-to-graduate students of creative degrees at UWE Bristol have the opportunity to apply for one of our 20 Spike Island Associates Membership Bursaries.
WHAT IS SPIKE ISLAND?
Spike Island is an international centre for the development of contemporary art and design. It is a place where artists and the public can meet, enabling audiences to engage with artists’ research and production. Spike Island offers visitors a year-round programme of internationally relevant exhibitions, events and activities, as well as providing working space for artists, designers, makers and creative businesses. Find out more
WHAT IS SPIKE ISLAND ASSOCIATES?
Spike Island Associates is a network that offers professional development opportunities, 24 hour workspace and events to artists, curators, designers, makers and writers who are keen to collaborate and experiment with all forms of art. Members are active contributors to a diverse network and can support one another with ambitious projects, working individually or together to develop their own creative practice. Find out more
WHAT IS THE BURSARY?
The standard Spike Island Associates membership fee is normally £13 per month. UWE Bristol are offering to pay membership fees to the Spike Island Associates network for 12 months (a value of £156) for 20 UWE Bristol School of Arts graduates.
WHAT DOES A MEMBERSHIP INVOLVE?
As a member, you are encouraged to develop your own creative work and professional skills through practical workshops. A year-round programme of events, opportunities and projects is offered exclusively to members, including crit sessions with visiting artists from around the world. Spike Island Associates membership includes the following:
- Free admission to most of Spike Island’s talks and events
- 24-hour access to shared working space, featuring: IT facilities such as wireless internet, scanning, printing and computers with Adobe Suite, graphics and video editing software; a reference library including artists’ monographs, critical theory texts and art periodicals; and an active noticeboard for local, regional and national exhibitions, events and opportunities.
- Regular events, workshops, peer crits and one to one sessions with guest artists and curators
- Occasional group trips, with subsidised travel when possible
- The UWE Bristol / Spike Island Associate Membership Bursaries are valid for the 2025 intake from 30 September 2025 – 30 September 2026
ELIGIBILITY:
Applicants should be graduating from a UWE Bristol School of Arts BA or MA programme in 2025.
Applicants should also be planning to be based in or near the South West region for the majority of the year.
The panel (comprising a member of staff from UWE Bristol and a member of staff from Spike Island) will select successful applicants using the following criteria:
- Demonstration of a commitment to creative practice.
- A clear understanding of how membership will enhance their professional practice.
- Clear articulation of a commitment to the city and / or region.
- The achievements of the applicant to date.
Successful applicants are expected to:
Complete a short written evaluation when their membership ends comparing their progress against the original objectives outlined in their application form, as well as providing feedback to enable effective evaluation of the scheme.
MORE INFORMATION:
Nicky Sim, Research Fellow: Art Partnerships will hold an online Q&A session at 1pm on Tuesday 24 June for anyone who has questions about applying.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89030669202
Meeting ID: 890 3066 9202
You can also contact Nicky via email with any questions: nicky.sim@uwe.ac.uk.
HOW TO APPLY:
Email nicky.sim@uwe.ac.uk by (11.59pm) on Monday 14 July with the following information attached as a single PDF document, using the email subject ‘Associates Bursary Application’.
1) Your full name, personal email address, phone number, degree subject and degree classification if known.
2) A short statement (up to a maximum of 400 words in total) covering:
- An introduction to your practice, experience and key areas of interest
- What contribution you could make to the Associates network and what you would hope to gain from membership
- How this opportunity will enhance your professional development
- Your plans to stay in the region
3) If relevant to your practice, please provide a link to your work on your website or social media, and/or attach up to five digital images of your work.
ACCESS:
If you have access requirements and need support with completing your application, please contact nicky.sim@uwe.ac.uk.
Successful applicants will be notified by the end of July. Unfortunately, Spike Island cannot guarantee to provide individual feedback on unsuccessful applications.
BA graduating students might also be interested to apply for a UWE X Spike Island Graduate Fellowship, and are welcome to apply for both of these opportunities.
