We are pleased to announce the reopening of the award named in honour of Acme’s Co-Founder Jonathan Harvey OBE, that recognises Acme artist tenants who have made a long-term commitment to their arts practice.

The Award

The Jonathan Harvey Tenant Award offers an artist fee of £5,000 and financial support towards the facilitation of the successful project up to a maximum of £7,000. In addition, support will be offered from Acme’s Residencies & Awards team over the 12-month period of the award, and Acme will provide marketing and communications assistance to support positive outcomes. The award artist will also have access to Acme’s career development programme which includes talks, group and artist crits, and practical skills development.

Purpose

This award will offer an opportunity for an Acme artist tenant with a sustained practice of 30 years or longer* to develop or make a step change in their practice. The award is open to all current Acme artist tenants, registered sharers and sub-letters. Applicants must be an Acme studio tenant, sub-letter or sharer as of 1 June 2023 to apply.

*Inclusive of career breaks this would mean you have been practising as an artist since the early 1990’s or before. (please see award Q&A for more information.)

About

This award supports an artist with a sustained practice of 30 years or longer. We recognise the sustained commitment artists make to their practice over time and are seeking to redress some of the significant obstacles they face when it comes to sourcing development opportunities at the later stages of their career. Across London, vital provision and opportunities are focused on emerging or mid-career artists, however many established working artists operate in difficult circumstances or struggle to progress due to caring responsibilities, financial constraints and many other factors. This annual tenant award highlights the continued contribution of artists with long term practice to London’s creative ecosystem.

Proposals

Eligible artists are invited to submit a proposal outlining how the award could enable an opportunity to make a significant difference to their practice. Artists are free to tailor proposals that uniquely support their needs. Example opportunities could include any of the following:

• The acquisition of new practical or artistic skills (e.g. short courses in archiving, enhancing digital skills or exploring new art forms such as bronze casting, film, sound engineering etc)
• Direct professional contacts (individual curator or gallerist studio visits, or sustained periods of mentoring with a selected industry mentor)
• Public exhibition opportunity
• Publication or documentation project
• Development and support for a pre-existing exhibition opportunity

Application Selection

Acme are seeking imaginative, impactful and achievable proposals which Acme can help support and facilitate, via sustained engagement with our Residencies & Awards team over a 12-month period from 1 Jan 2024 (with an additional 6 months for project outcomes).

• Applications due 20 August 2023.
• Shortlist in-studio interviews September/October 2023.
• Shortlisted artists will be interviewed by Paul Bayley, Head of Acme Residencies & Awards, Jon Opie, Head of Acme Artist Support, and Martin Clark, Director, Camden Arts Centre.
• Artist selected October 2023.
• Award begins January 2024.
• Acme are particularly looking for projects or activities which would be difficult for artists to realise without the financial support of the award.

FAQs

Please read the Q&A’s for further guidelines and information on eligibility.

To apply

Please fill in an application form including uploading an up to date CV and budget proposal by midnight Sunday 20 August.

• Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed in their studio spaces by a selection panel.
• No visual material needs to be submitted with the application.

You can request alternative application formats by emailing communications@acme.org.uk