University to celebrate ten years of Art Collection's Graduate Scholarship scheme

Established in 2014, the programme has supported 50 graduates from the School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology and its predecessor, the School of Arts and Media, to develop their careers through a bespoke 12-month package of support.

This one-of-a-kind package includes studio space, coaching, mentoring, research trips, professional development sessions, a bursary for materials or travel and more.

Over the last ten years, the programme has developed and helped produce over 50 outstanding emerging talents from the University whilst helping to build Salford's wider local arts ecology. The programme's artists have gained new commissions, residencies, exhibitions and set up their own businesses.

A special event to mark the success of the programme will take place in the New Adelphi Atrium on Wednesday 9 October from 4.30pm until 7pm with tickets free for all to attend.

The event will celebrate the exhibition that is currently showcasing pieces from 16 graduates. The exhibition will be on display in the New Adelphi Exhibition Gallery until Friday 10 January.

This work is a small selection that has been gifted to the University's permanent Art Collection and has been selected to showcase the breadth of creative practices from across the BA and MA courses at Salford.

Lindsay Taylor, Curator of the University of Salford Art Collection, said: “In 2014, when establishing the Graduate Scholarship Programme, my hope was that it would be a vehicle for ensuring our graduates were successful in their field, whilst embedding the University within the creative and cultural ecologies of Salford and Greater Manchester.

“For this to happen it had to be in partnership with Castlefield Gallery, the leading artist development organisation in the North West, and it is a pleasure to share our ten year anniversary with their 40 years!  It was also vital to work in collaboration with our valued studio partners, which are at the heart of the city’s creative and cultural life.

“All the scholars have taken their individual creative paths, whether as artists, photographers and creatives, curators, academics, entrepreneurs and are impacting on the world in their own ways.  They are the future leaders of creativity and culture in this country and beyond, and I am proud to have supported them at the start of their journeys.”

The programme has been well supported over its ten years by the collections' lead partner Castlefield Gallery as well as current partners Islington Mill, Paradise Work, Hotbed Press and Wallace Seymour.

Helen Wewiora, Director of Castlefield Gallery, said: “It is a great joy to mark ten years of Salford scholars with our much-valued partner the University of Salford Art Collection, also delivering the scheme in collaboration with such a dynamic group of studio partners in the city.

“We are immensely proud of all the University of Salford graduates we have worked with. Castlefield Gallery is excited to welcome such a promising group of graduates commencing their programme with us in September 2024.

“Here’s to another ten years of the programme, an unrivalled scheme designed to support artists and creatives of the future.”

The artists featured in the collection are; Suraj Adekola, Katie Aird, Lubna Ali, Mollie Balshaw, Joe Beedles, Heather Bell, Alena Ruth Donely, Aidan Doyle, Elliot Flanagan, Joe Fowler, Jesse Glazzard, Jack Jameson, Lizzie King, Adam Rawlinson, Joshua Turner and Meg Woods.

Tickets for the launch on October 9 are free and can be acquired via Eventbrite.