Deadline: Monday 29 June 2026, 10am
Responses: Friday 10 July 2026, 5pm
Opportunity (summary):
- £2,500 CVAN EM bursary (artist fee & production fee)
- £2,000 QUAD support (incl. travel, accommodation & curatorial support)
- Solo exhibition as part of QUAD’s Montage Gallery programme
About QUAD
QUAD is Derby city’s cultural hub. QUAD has been at the heart of Derby’s cultural scene since it opened in September in 2008 and is internationally recognised for providing quality and excellence in the Arts. QUAD delivers an exciting, innovative and diverse programme which is popular with visitors of all ages, with a reputation in Photography, digital innovation & family friendly events. The venue organises FORMAT International Photography Festival and Derby Film Festival. QUAD is a partnership between Derby City Council and Arts Council England.
About QUAD’s Montage Gallery
Montage Gallery is dedicated to supporting local and national talent, with a special focus on young and emerging artists working in lens-based media. We provide an inviting space where creativity can flourish. Our mission is to nurture the next generation of artists by offering opportunities to showcase their work, connect with audiences, and become part of Derby's growing cultural story.
Through exhibitions, collaborations, and community engagement, Montage Gallery celebrates fresh perspectives and innovative practices, ensuring that art remains open, inspiring, and rooted in the community we serve.
Click here to view a PDF of documentation from current and previous exhibitions presented in Montage Gallery. Please use this material to help inform your application.
Project Overview
CVAN EM’s Bigger Bursary, delivered in partnership with QUAD, builds on the success of last year’s round and responds directly to feedback gathered from our 2024/25 & 2025/26 bursary recipients. This next iteration reflects a commitment to strengthening support for artists and arts workers in the region.
This exciting partnership with QUAD has been developed to align with and support the organisation’s evolving Montage Gallery programme. By working collaboratively, CVAN EM and QUAD aim to create a more visible and professionally supported pathway for emerging artists to develop work and share it publicly.
New Opportunity: Exhibition Outcome
A key development for this round is the introduction of an exhibition opportunity. In partnership with QUAD, as part of their Montage Gallery programme, the selected bursary recipient will present a small-scale solo exhibition, developed during the bursary period. The exhibition can include existing work.
This addition aims to:
- Provide a tangible outcome and platform for experimentation and new work/ideas
- Support artists in developing exhibition-making experience
- Support public engagement with contemporary visual arts practices in the region
Who can apply?
We are looking for applicants that meet all the following criteria:
- East Midlands–based artists: Applicants must live in the East Midlands (Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire or Rutland).
- Emerging or early-career artists: This opportunity is focused on supporting artists at an early or developing stage in their career as defined by the applicant. There are no set parameters regarding years of practice.
- Artists working in lens-based or new media practices: This opportunity is focused on supporting artists working in everything from traditional photography and archives to mobile phone imagery, film, AI-generated images, and immersive installations.
- Practitioners committed to contemporary visual arts: Applicants must demonstrate an active engagement with contemporary practice.
Download the application pack:
APPLICATION PACK: CVAN EM’s Bigger Bursary in partnership with QUAD (PDF)
APPLICATION PACK: CVAN EM’s Bigger Bursary in partnership with QUAD (DOCX)
Applications should be returned via email to colette@cvaneastmidlands.co.uk by Monday 29 June 2026, 10am.
Image credit: Feature Shoot Emerging Photography Awards. Credit by Charlotte Jopling