We are pleased to announce the re-opening of the award named in honour of Acme’s Co-Founder Jonathan Harvey OBE, recognising 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 a project up to a maximum of £7,000. We will also provide marketing and communications assistance for the award outcomes.

The awardee will have access to Acme’s awards development programme, which includes networking, events and practical skills training.

Purpose

This award offers an opportunity for an Acme tenant with a sustained practice of at least 30 years 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 26 July 2024 to apply.

About

This award supports an artist who has been practising since 1994 or before and recognises the sustained commitment artists make to their practice over time.

Across London, vital provision and opportunities are focused on emerging or early-career artists, however many established working artists operate in difficult circumstances or struggle to progress due to caring responsibilities, financial precarity and many other factors.

With this award, we are seeking to address some of the significant barriers artists may face in sustaining careers long-term.

Proposals

Eligible artists can submit a proposal outlining how the award could help make a significant difference to their practice.

Examples 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.)
• Establishing direct professional contacts (individual curator or gallerist studio visits, or sustained periods of mentoring with a selected industry mentor)
• Publication or documentation projects
• Development and support for new or planned exhibition opportunities
  

We are looking for imaginative, impactful and achievable proposals which we can help support and facilitate through sustained engagement with our Artist Support team over a 12-month period, from 1 January 2025. Public outcomes such as exhibitions or publications may then be realised in early 2026.

We are particularly keen to support projects or activities which would be difficult for artists to realise without the financial support of the award.

Selection criteria

• A current Acme tenant, sub-letter or sharer as of 22 July 2024
• A demonstrable artistic practice of at least 30 years
• This award is intended for artists who have, or are facing, barriers to pursuing their career
• A standalone project that could not be done without the award OR a larger project where the award would have a distinct role in increasing its impact
• A project that is impactful and achievable within an 18-month timeframe from 1 January 2025
• A proposal that clearly shows the impact the award would have on the artist’s practice and/or career development

FAQs

Please read the Guidance and FAQs for further guidelines and information on eligibility.

To apply

The online application form can be found here.

Please submit your application by 10am, Monday 2 September 2024.

If you have any questions or would like to request the guidance and application form in a different format (large print, alternative colours or as a hard copy), please email [email protected].

Timeline:

• Deadline for applications: 10am, Monday 2 September 2024
• Shortlisted artists interviews: w/c 23 September 2024
• Outcome communicated: w/c 30 September 2024
  
• Duration of the award: January-December 2025
  

Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed in their studio spaces by a selection panel consisting of Jon Opie, Head of Artist Support and an external curator.

A Word version of the form to see the questions before submitting your online can be found here.