At UKNA, we are committed to creating pathways for everyone to engage with the contemporary art world, fostering a vibrant and diverse creative economy in the UK. Our mission is to build a brighter future for emerging artists, regardless of their background or education. Our latest publication, Sharing Our Value, explores the impact we’ve had since our inception, showcasing how we nurture creativity, foster collaboration, and empower new artists.
UK New Artists is proud to announce that we have been awarded the British Council Catalyst Grant, Igniting UK-Kenya Creative Collaborations.
The British Council has selected 19 innovative projects to receive Catalyst Grants. They aim to catalyse new connections, exchanges, and collaborations between artists, creative practitioners, and cultural organisations in the UK and Kenya. UKNA will collaborate with Jukwaa Arts Productions (JAP) based in Mombasa, Kenya.
In June 2024, FABRIC and UK New Artists came together to collaborate on ‘You Are Welcome’, a project that formed part of ‘Transform, a City Takeover’, led by New Art Exchange. FABRIC and UK New Artists, both champions of underrepresented talent, partnered for the 'You are Welcome' project to explore how small, everyday gestures can contribute to building a more inclusive environment.
For the first time in Nottingham, UK New Artists together with Parham Ghalamdar will be hosting a ‘Divine Dining’ event in the heart of the city. As part of ‘Transform, a City Takeover’ this one-of-a-kind event offers a series of courses inspired by Iranian culture, presented on handmade ceramics. This three-course menu with wine has been developed and designed in collaboration with Nottingham-born chef Matthew Scott, currently the Chef Patron of ‘PAPI’ located in London's East End and is offered at a modest price of £25.00 per person. Booking is essential as places are limited.
UK New Artists and 4C Group are delighted to announce that the third recipient of the bursary is Jamaican poet based in Bucks, Courtney Conrad.
UKNA and global company 4C Group launched this new, exciting partnership in 2022, creating valuable opportunities for UKNA Alumni artists over the next three years. UKNA and 4C Group recognise the difficulties faced by those who would struggle to further their creative career without support, and a key component of the partnership is a significant investment with an annual 4C Group bursary. The bursary, managed by UKNA for twelve months, offers a £10,000 investment to support the artist's professional practice and creative development.
The New Artists Collective #2 is a cross-disciplinary group of 12 artists, who will be working collaboratively for six months as part of UKNA’s second iteration of ‘Taking Place’ (People, Place and Practice), embarking on an exciting journey in Derby; sharing their work, undertaking residencies and collective activities.
On Thursday 10th November Sofia Laskari was crowned as the winner of 2023 Robert Walters UK New Artist of the Year Award in a VIP awards evening held at the Saatchi Gallery, London.
Sofia Laskari was the recipient of the £10,000 cash prize – out of a possible 1,600 entries - presented by global recruitment consultancy Robert Walters, after being selected ahead of the other nine shortlisted artists for work submitted within the brief of ‘The Journey of Self-Actualization: Exploring the Illusion of Greener Grass and the Pursuit of the Dream’.
UK New Artists and The MashUP are excited to collaborate and spotlight the thriving visual arts community in Lincoln and Lincolnshire. We've selected a group of artists through an open call to be part of the 'Artists in the Now' exhibition, taking place in Lincoln as part of UKNA’s ‘Weekend Celebration of Creativity’. This exhibition features 10 new and emerging visual artists from the region, highlighting the diversity of artistic voices in Lincoln and Lincolnshire.
Now in its fourth year, this event highlights the work of ten exceptional artists who will have been selected for the Robert Walters UK New Artist of the Year Award taking place at the prestigious Saatchi Gallery in London on Thursday 9 November 2023. During the VIP awards evening, the overall winner of the £10,000 cash prize will be announced.
UKNA's Creative ThinkTank members are inviting you to share your stories of overcoming challenges on your creative path. From navigating the intricacies of motherhood, parenthood, race, gender, age, and geography, to funding hurdles and evolving cultural landscapes, we're eager to hear it all. Your unique experiences are the heart of our mission, inspiring change and shaping the future of the creative sector.
