The Tees Valley Artists of the Year, a Tees Valley Combined Authority initiative aimed at recognising exceptional talent and helping artists to progress in their careers, is back for a second year.
The scheme provides a one-year support package, which includes funding of around £28,000.An artist at an event in 2024 (Image: Dawn McNamara Photography)
The funds are distributed as a real-living wage bursary, providing financial support for the artists’ creative work throughout the year.
In addition to the financial aid, the programme offers a professional development budget to help the artists enhance their skills and broaden their practice.
Selected artists also benefit from industry mentoring and tailored business support, which includes fundraising, PR, and coaching.
Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said: “The Tees Valley Artists of the Year programme embodies our commitment to nurturing creative talent and enabling artistic careers.
“After a successful first year, we’re excited to once again offer this incredible opportunity to five talented artists, helping them realise their ambitions.”
The programme is open to artists and creatives across all disciplines, including visual arts, performance, digital media, and writing.
The chosen artists will join the previous cohort, which included Middlesbrough singer-songwriter Amelia Coburn, Darlington author Lisette Auton, Stockton-based visual artist Claire A Baker, theatre-maker Scott Turnbull, and Stockton film-maker Andy Berriman.
Ms Auton, who was part of the first cohort, said: “My advice to anyone thinking about applying is to go for it.
“Being part of the Artists of the Year programme has been hugely beneficial by allowing me to be more focused, more creative and to dream big.
“I’ve worked with incredible mentors, had brilliant opportunities and I’m now writing a piece of work that no-one else would fund me to do.”
She added: “The funding and support have also helped me achieve all those things that I never had the time or resource to do – sort out a newsletter, develop my website, work out ways to fund myself going forwards.
“It’s the whole package.”
The successful artists for 2025 will be selected after a competitive process involving panellists from the region’s leading cultural organisations, Arts Council England, and TVCA.
Alison Gwynn, creative economy lead for the Tees Valley Business Board and North East Screen chief executive, said: “It has been outstanding to see the success of the Artists of the Year programme, which is helping support a vibrant arts and culture scene where local talent can flourish and creatives can develop long-lasting careers.”
Funding for the Artists of the Year programme comes from the UK Government and its UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
The award is part of a broader £20.5m investment by the Combined Authority to grow the region’s creative and cultural industries and visitor economies.
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Interested artists are encouraged to apply and find out more about the eligibility criteria and programme details at www.teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/artists2025.
The application deadline is 12pm on Friday, February 14, 2025.
Potential applicants can also join an information webinar on Thursday, January 16, from 4pm to 5pm.