The QUAD Gallery - white walls containing artwork

CVAN EM’s Bigger Bursary in partnership with QUAD

Deadline: Monday 29 June 2026, 10am
Responses: Friday 10 July 2026, 5pm

Opportunity (summary)

Opportunity (summary):
£2,500 CVAN EM bursary (artist fee & production fee)
£2,000 QUAD support (incl. travel, accommodation & curatorial support)
Solo exhibition as part of QUAD’s Montage Gallery programme

Project Overview

CVAN EM’s Bigger Bursary, delivered in partnership with QUAD, builds on the success of last year’s round and responds directly to feedback gathered from our 2024/25 & 2025/26 bursary recipients. This next iteration reflects a commitment to strengthening support for artists and arts workers in the region.

This exciting partnership with QUAD has been developed to align with and support the organisation’s evolving Montage Gallery programme. By working collaboratively, CVAN EM and QUAD aim to create a more visible and professionally supported pathway for emerging artists to develop work and share it publicly.

New Opportunity: Exhibition Outcome

A key development for this round is the introduction of an exhibition opportunity. In partnership with QUAD, as part of their Montage Gallery programme, the selected bursary recipient will present a small-scale solo exhibition, developed during the bursary period. The exhibition can include existing work.

This addition aims to:

  • Provide a tangible outcome and platform for experimentation and new work/ideas
  • Support artists in developing exhibition-making experience
  • Support public engagement with contemporary visual arts practices in the region

Who can apply?

We are looking for applicants that meet all the following criteria:

  • East Midlands–based artists: Applicants must live in the East Midlands (Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire or Rutland).
  • Emerging or early-career artists: This opportunity is focused on supporting artists at an early or developing stage in their career as defined by the applicant. There are no set parameters regarding years of practice.
  • Artists working in lens-based or new media practices: This opportunity is focused on supporting artists working in everything from traditional photography and archives to mobile phone imagery, film, AI-generated images, and immersive installations.
  • Practitioners committed to contemporary visual arts: Applicants must demonstrate an active engagement with contemporary practice

Download the application pack:
APPLICATION PACK (PDF)
APPLICATION PACK (DOCX)

Applications should be returned via email to colette@cvaneastmidlands.co.uk by Monday 29 June 2026, 10am.

https://cvaneastmidlands.co.uk/activity/cvan-em-s-bigger-bursary-in-partnership-with-quad

About CVAN EM

CVAN EM is the free-to-access Contemporary Visual Arts Networks for the East Midlands, working as part of the national CVAN network. We advocate for contemporary visual arts in the regions by supporting artists, arts workers, and organisations through paid opportunities, critical programming, and partnership working, while driving policy change to ensure a sustainable and vibrant sector. CVAN EM is hosted by New Art Exchange (NAE), a ground-breaking creative space in Nottingham and the UK’s largest gallery dedicated to contemporary visual arts from the Global Majority.
https://cvaneastmidlands.co.uk/