East Gallery Fellowships 2025/26

Open call

Supported by Norwich University of the Arts

• Two 12-month fellowships for creative practitioners, November 2025 – October 2026
• Application deadline: Monday 14 July 2025, 12 noon (UK time)

East Gallery, Norwich University of the Arts, is delighted to offer two opportunities to join the University as an East Gallery Fellow – Creative Practice for twelve months from 1 November 2025 to 31 October 2026. The East Gallery Fellowships provide up to £20,000 support per candidate plus an additional £4,000 for artwork production expenses, and valuable access to the facilities of the University including workshops, library, technical resources, and academic expertise. The Fellowship will support an innovative research-led, practice-based project that will result in a high-quality exhibition at East Gallery in 2027.

• Fellowship description
• Eligibility
• Selection Process
• Application Procedure
• Interviews

Fellowship Description

Each Fellowship consists of a fixed grant awarded by Norwich University of the Arts and lasts for an agreed period of research activity (12 months) during which time the Fellows are required to research, develop, and produce innovative work of international standing from within Norwich University of the Arts. While we accept that some of this work may occur off-campus, the Fellow would be committed to spending a proportion of time on campus and have regular check-ins with East Gallery and Norwich University of the Arts staff.

• The Fellowship programme provides practitioners with the opportunity to focus on a particular project as part of their wider work, within a supportive and creative environment.
• Your work will contribute to Norwich University of the Art’s reputation for excellence in research, and you will develop and deliver your project working closely with East Gallery, and any relevant academic staff.
• A public exhibition at East Gallery will form the core element of each Fellow’s activity. The exhibitions will take place at an agreed time within one year after the Fellowship period, developed and curated with East Gallery. There is a separate budget for exhibition installation costs.
• You will work with East Gallery’s Curator to stage a range of appropriate activities, including presentations of your proposed research project, to engage and exchange knowledge with academic staff, Norwich students, and the public.
• The university offers a range of technical support, workshops, IT, and additional facilities in fashion, textiles, film, photography, and print studios, which will be available to the Fellow, subject to negotiation with staff from the relevant departments.
• Each Fellowship will include the creation of an editioned artwork to be sold exclusively at East Gallery promoting the Fellowships and raising essential funds for the venue and its wider programme. The first copy of the edition will enter the Norwich University of the Arts Collection.

The Fellowship offers up to £20,000 per candidate. The Fellow is responsible for covering their own travel, accommodation, and living expenses from this grant. You will be provided with access to a working studio space as required during the Fellowship. Up to a further £4,000 will be paid in research, material, or artwork production costs throughout the duration of the Fellowship.

Eligibility

Candidates of all ages and backgrounds are eligible to apply, and no specific academic qualification is required. A minimum of 2 year’s professional practice in your field is an essential criterion to be eligible, as well as a high level of existing research activity and national/international profile of the outcomes, projects, and associated work.

Selection Process

The Fellows will be selected based on their application. East Gallery will establish a selection panel which will include representatives from East Gallery, Norwich University of the Arts, as well as external advisors. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interviews by 15 August 2025, with interviews to be scheduled for week commencing 1 September 2025. Please note, if you have not heard from us by 15 August 2025, unfortunately you have not been shortlisted. We are unable to provide feedback on individual proposals unless the applicant has been selected for interview.

Application Procedure

We accept applications via the online application form only. Video proposals are accepted to accommodate applicants with accessibility/neurodiverse needs, but word limits should be adhered to. Please compile your online application with the following supporting information:

• Outline Proposal / Project Brief (max 100 words)
  Please tell us about your proposed project in a clear and concise statement.
• Proposed Activity and Area of Research (max 500 words)
  Please explain why you want to undertake this project, how you envisage it developing while you are part of Norwich University of the Arts, and its relevance to the university. We would like to know; what theme or subject matter you will work with; what faculty within the university are you most interested in working alongside; what interests you most about a Fellowship in Norwich.
• A representative portfolio of your work with a minimum of 10 relevant images, links to videos or clips of your work, with corresponding credits accompanying each artwork.
• A concise Curriculum Vitae (no more than 2 pages) including contact details for two references who can speak about your research and creative practice (please note, these will not be contacted without your prior consent).

Applications

Applications Open:  Monday 2 June 2025 Applications Close: Monday 14 July 2025, 12 noon (UK time) The online application portal will not receive any late or incomplete applications.

Interviews

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview by 15 August 2025 Interviews will be held in the first week of September 2025.

Fellowship Dates

1 November 2025 – 31 October 2026