Studio Voltaire and LOEWE FOUNDATION have today announced the LOEWE FOUNDATION / Studio Voltaire Award – a new programme benefitting seven artists with two years of support through rent–free studio space, professional development opportunities and a bursary. The second phase of the award, a new year–long residency for an international artist to be based at Studio Voltaire, will also be announced later this year. This major new programme coincides with the reopening of Studio Voltaire in October 2021, following a transformative capital development project.
“This special programme is even more urgent given Covid–19’s effects on artists. The need for spaces where artists can connect and be supported is vitally important. London has lost significant numbers of studio spaces in the last three years and it’s estimated that more than a third of existing studio spaces will vanish by 2024. 2021 is going to be an extremely important year for our organisation and through this award we will increase accessibility and opportunities for artists, specifically those with limited financial means or experiencing barriers within their careers.”
Joe Scotland, Director of Studio Voltaire
The award has been developed in direct response to the urgent need for affordable and secure workspace for artists. In recent years, there has been a significant decrease in studio provision in London. The Covid–19 pandemic has had a detrimental impact on artists’ lives, with many experiencing reduced opportunities, losses in income and isolation. The LOEWE FOUNDATION / Studio Voltaire Award aims to cultivate spaces where artists can connect in a supportive studio environment that facilitates creative possibilities, risk–taking, experimentation and exchange.
“Supporting creativity is at the heart of all LOEWE does and it is therefore a great privilege for the LOEWE FOUNDATION to support this vital new initiative, especially in light of the impact Covid-19 has had on the artistic community. I have long admired Studio Voltaire and the work it does and am delighted we can be a part of it.”
Jonathan Anderson, Creative Director of LOEWE,
The LOEWE FOUNDATION / Studio Voltaire Award has been established to celebrate talent, individuality and original thinking within contemporary art practice. The award will support artists at all stages of their careers including emerging and underrepresented artists, particularly those who are marginalised or experience intersecting forms of discrimination. The programme aims to increase and strengthen equitable representation and access, and amplify artistic voices across class, race, gender, sexuality and disability to fully reflect the diversity of London’s population.
The two–year programme has been developed to provide a range of support including:
- A rent–free workspace within Studio Voltaire’s newly developed buildings
- A bursary of £2,000 for each artist
- An individualised programme of mentoring and professional development
- Curatorial and pastoral support
- Access to local and international audiences via public events programming
Awards will be allocated based on talent and need. Applications will be received through an open call and via a group of selected nominators. Nominators include: Sheryll Catto, Co–Director of ActionSpace; Languid Hands, an artistic and curatorial collaboration between Rabz Lansiquot and Imani Robinson, writer and filmmaker Juliet Jacques; Dr Mark Sealy, Director of Autograph ABP; Linsey Young; Curator of Contemporary British Art, Tate Britain; and artist, Abbas Zahedi.
Awarded artists will be selected by a panel of leading curators and artists:
Sepake Angiama, Artistic Director of Iniva; Andrew Bonacina, Chief Curator of The Hepworth Wakefield; artists Anthea Hamilton and Elizabeth Price; and Studio Voltaire’s Curator of Studios and Residencies, Maggie Mati? and Director, Joe Scotland.
Applications are now open at studiovoltaire.org.
