if you're an
Artist
Art School Plus is a place for artists to learn, develop, and thrive.
- Commissioning opportunities
- Peer network
- Free, bespoke training from world-leading public realm professionals
- Ongoing support and guidance from Art School Plus and alumni community
Our Partners
if you're aN
Organisation
There are so many ways we can support your aims, ambitions and work. Please see below and get in touch.
Consultant/Project Manager
Organisations can enlist Art School Plus to provide support for their commissions through project management or consultancy services. Notable clients include Camden Council.
Collaboration on Commissions
Art School Plus partners with organisations to collaboratively develop and realise commissions. Examples of collaborations include the Imperial War Museum’s Brickworks Commission and Creative Cardiff’s city centre commission.
Training for Organisations
We offer a day-long, in-house training programme outlining best practices for public art development, and project development. This costs £2,200 (in full). Art School Plus can also adjust this to your specific needs and may be able to offer a community discount. We are running this training for organisations in Newham and have also been invited to deliver this training as part of the V&A Academy.
Collaborative training programmes for artists
We develop tailored training programmes focused on specific topics, ideas, or locations. Art School Plus is currently working with Hackney Council on training centred around artists working in public libraries.
Our Capabilities
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
ARTIST RECRUITMENT
ARTIST SELECTION
FINE ART KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE
ARTIST SUPPORT AND EDUCATION
COMMISSIONING EXPERTISE
TEAM TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
EVALUATION AND REPORTING
CONSULTANCY
'Public art can be transformational for cities. However, public commissioning can also sometimes be vague, last-minute, process-driven and disconnected from the communities it seeks to engage. There is no single set of best practice guidelines in place for public realm commissioning and artists are rarely given proper training in how to approach public realm opportunities- and this is where Art School Plus stepped in.'
Head of Creative Cardiff, Jess Mahoney
'Art School Plus were great to work with. They matched our brief to a fantastic artist and produced something really special for Camden.'
Joe Lewis, Green Space Development Manager, London Borough Camden
Our Supporters and Sponsors
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'Art School Plus are doing two crucial jobs. The first is to allow people to realise that making art to live with is more important than making art to be sold, the second is evolving the support that will help that art be made.'
Sir Antony Gormley, Sculptor
ARTIST FIRST
About Us
Operating as both an alternative art school and a convener of unique art projects, Art School Plus is the bridge which connects artists with real-world public realm commissions to realise and imagine new ways in which art can exist in the world. Art School Plus uniquely develops ambitious projects, in partnership, which move away from the gallery space but instead engage with public spaces, collections and places, and in essence, very directly with the world in which we inhabit.
People Focused
Values Led
Values: Openness| Support | Active Listening | Generosity | Commitment | Playful | Exchange | Risk | Leadership | Integrity
Our values were devised by Art School Plus’s first cohort of artists in 2022 and continue to be shaped by our community of artists.
Programme - (applications are now closed and will reopen in 2024)
2023 Artist Training Programme
Programme Details
In 2023 we are selecting up to ten artists and providing them with week-long bespoke training led by renowned artists, architects, environmental experts, developers and public realm leaders. We also support the artists with a month-long display of their work at KOKO.
In summary, if you are selected, you will:
- Receive (free) bespoke week-long training and personal development, centring on public realm best practice and commissioning
- Build your peer and sector network
- Display and promote your work as part of a month-long display
- Be part of the alumni community and ongoing promotion from Art School Plus Be eligible for future public realm commissioning opportunities from Art School Plus
- Free tickets and access to FRIEZE Art Fair, and training taking place over the FRIEZE period
- Free KOKO membership for a month
- April 2023: Applications open
- 14th August, 9am: Deadline for applications (both artists AND nominators)
- Week 4th September: Interviews
- UK candidates confirmed by mid-September
- Training the week of 9-13 October, in London
- Display install 17th -19th November
- Display opening 21st November at 6:30-8:30 pm
- The display will be open from 18 November to 19 December
To find out more about the Art School Plus programme, and the application process, we are hosting three online events. Please register to attend them here.
The events will take place on:
- 8th June at 12:00-12:40
- 13th July at 12:00-12:40
- 10th August at 12:00-12:40
Please note, these sessions will not be recorded and the same information will be covered in each session.
Art School Plus represents a considerable investment in each individual, we want to select the very best artists at the right moment in their career. It is a competitive and rigorous process and we have taken every care to make the application and selection process as thorough and fair as possible.
- Decide if this is the right programme for you and your practice, and if you can commit to the programme dates (our information events will be helpful)
- Find a nominator, who is willing to support you and is aware of the deadline of 9am on 14th August 2023 (it is your responsibility that they submit on time)
- Fill in the application and equal opportunities forms and send them to hello@artsp.org
To find out more about the Art School Plus programme, and the application process, we are hosting three online events in June, July and August. You can register to attend them here.
If you wish to keep up to date with Art School Plus subscribe to our newsletter.
- Demonstrate past experience, or future potential, of public realm practice
- Demonstrate a collaborative approach
- Demonstrate motivation and commitment
- Must be an early-career* artist
- Must be available for the training programme from 9-13 October 2023, and to prepare for, and contribute to, the display of work at KOKO.
- If you apply for a specific scholarship, as a Newham or Cardiff-based artist, you will need to demonstrate you are eligible for this in your application.
*What do we mean by ‘early-career’ artist?
An artist who graduated from art school in the last seven years. This does not have to be a continuous seven years if you had a reason you needed to take time away from your practice. There are no age restrictions. If you did not go to art school, we still encourage you to apply. We particularly encourage applicants who are under-served in the current art world. If you have questions about your eligibility you can contact hello@artsp.org for advice.
Who can my nominator be?
Your nominator can be anyone who is able to comment on why you are right person for this opportunity, and how you meet the criteria. Their part of the application counts as half of your overall application, so it is important for you to consider carefully who this may be and give them plenty of notice. Examples of nominators could be: collaborators, previous tutors, colleagues, community leaders, friends. There are guidelines for nominators in the application pack you may wish to direct them to.
How many years has this programme run before?
Art School Plus has been running since January 2022.
Other comments on the application
Please do think of why this opportunity is right for you, and why now. Please go beyond your artist statement but think about the impact this opportunity will have on your career and goals, as well as how you will contribute to Art School Plus as a programme.
- Demonstrate past experience, or future potential, of public realm practice
- Demonstrate a collaborative approach
- Demonstrate motivation and commitment
- Must be an early-career* artist
- Must be available for the training programme from 9-13 October 2023, and to prepare for, and contribute to, the display of work at KOKO
- If you apply for a specific scholarship, as a Newham, Polish or Cardiff-based artist, you will need to demonstrate you are eligible for this in your application
*What do we mean by 'early-career' artist?
An artist who graduated from art school in the last seven years. This does not have to be a continuous seven years if you had a reason you needed to take time away from your practice. There are no age restrictions. If you did not go to art school, we still encourage you to apply. We particularly encourage applicants who are under-served in the current art world. If you have questions about your eligibility you can contact hello@artsp.org for advice.
To find out more, and apply, download the application information pack (PDF), and application form (Word).
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