Jerwood Arts commits £1 million to developing artists fund

Independent arts funder, Jerwood Arts has announced £1 million of funding dedicated to programmes for early-career artists, curators and producers. This week’s addition of 12 programmes to the four confirmed earlier this year, completes Jerwood Arts’ first wave of its growing portfolio.

The fund will support organisations helping emerging creators in a variety of disciplines including East Sussex-based opera house and touring company, Glyndebourne, which will receive two years of funding to support the careers of four soloists from the Glyndebourne Chorus. You can find a full list of the 16 projects which have joined the developing artists fund portfolio here.

Glyndebourne’s director of artistic administration, Steven Naylor, said: ‘This scheme offers the experience of performing small roles in our productions, or understudies, alongside established singers, conductors and directors. Such opportunities are essential to equip young soloists for an international career on the opera stage.’

Launched in April 2022, the developing artist fund will eventually support 25 artist development programmes annually and Jerwood Arts aims to fund over 100 projects over the next two years. Some programmes have already selected participants, with other opportunities open for applications in early 2023.

Grants from the Fund range from £30,000-£60,000 per year, with applications welcomed from programmes offering transformative opportunities for early-career artists who have at least one year’s professional experience and can demonstrate a sustained commitment to their career. Jerwood Arts will continue to welcome expressions of interest (EOIs) in the scheme until 1 February 2023 with a further intention to reopen EOIs later next year. Guidance for this process can be found here.