Acme Announces the 2026/27 Early Career Awards Cohort

Acme is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026/27 Early Career Awards: Nassim L'Ghoul, Yang-En Hume, zakkiyyah najeebah dumas-o'neal, Madara Freidenfelde and Anna Siow Usadi.

Acme Early Career Awards programme support artists within the first five years of their practice by providing a range of financial, practical and professional development opportunities. Through studio provision, rent relief, mentoring, exhibition and presentation opportunities, and tailored support, the programme helps artists navigate some of the structural challenges of establishing and sustaining a career in the visual arts.

This year marks an exciting new chapter for the Early Career Awards as the programme relocates to Acme's Billet Road Studios in Walthamstow. Billet Road is home to a vibrant community of artists working across a wide range of disciplines. By embedding award holders within this network, the move will create new opportunities for peer learning and exchange, while strengthening the programme's connection to Acme's wider artist community.

The 2026/27 programme also introduces the Olivia Parson Award, established in memory of Olivia Parson by her family, friends and colleagues, with founding support from Kitt and YEP (You & Everyone in Property). The award expands the programme's support for artists at a pivotal stage in their development and reflects a shared commitment to nurturing artistic talent and creating opportunities for the next generation of practitioners.

Acme looks forward to supporting the award holders over the coming year and to following the development of their practices.