Launchgrad news, events and opportunities August 2021

News

Launchgrad Feedback 2021 

Thank you to all who completed our feedback survey. We use this, and other information (newsletter read rates, attendance at events) to find out more about how you are engaging with Launchgrad, and how we might best develop Launchgrad to support our graduates. 

Feedback and data suggest that Launchgrad newsletter should develop with an increased focus on: 

• Signposting to local opportunities to connect with the HCA community 
• Funding opportunities  
• Careers advice and signposting to careers websites 
• Crafts council alongside Arts council opportunities 

We will work on developing this focus during 2021-22 and we will send out another feedback survey in Spring 2022. 

Graduates in Residence  

Huge thanks to all the graduates who applied to our Graduates in Residence scheme. Applications for 2021 are now closed. This is a pilot scheme, and we will update you on any future schemes through our newsletter and blog posts in Spring/Summer 2022. 

If you have applied for the scheme, your application is being looked at and you will be contacted once we have made a decision. 

You can read about the pilot scheme on our GiR web pages.

We regret that as a small team we cannot respond to individual email queries about the scheme.  

Graduate Associate Membership 

We currently offer library access to GAM’s. To find out more and how to book a slot, please look on our website. We have limited library access available over the summer, and the majority of our facilities are closed over the summer period. We hope to offer further limited access to facilities in September. To find out more please keep an eye on our website and our newsletter for details. 

If you are interested in signing up to become a Graduate Associate Member, email reception@hca.ac.uk   

Graduate Outcomes Survey 

Graduate Outcomes is the biggest UK annual social survey and captures the perspectives and status of recent graduates. All graduates who completed a course will be asked to take part in the survey 15 months after they finish their studies.  

More information on the Graduate Outcomes Survey Website 

Opportunities

Crafts Council Opportunities 

The Crafts Council has a range of new local and national opportunities on offer, including Summer School Residencies and gallery applications. To find out more, look on their business/opportunities website.
 

Lewisham Arthouse Graduate Studio Award Scheme 2021/2022 

The award offers recent graduates a fantastic, free opportunity to continue developing their practice in a 200ft studio based within our artist-led cooperative. The scheme encourages the selected artist to utilise our facilities, participate in and draw on our lively community to produce and present new work. Towards the end of the scheme, the awardee will be invited to share the outcomes of the residency in a form of their choosing (past awardees have hosted events, presented exhibitions, symposium and even organised gigs). 

For application details please see website 

The Cordis Prize 

The Cordis Prize, the world’s largest award for tapestry, is set to return for its fifth round in 2021. The £8000 prize is the biggest award from woven tapestry in the world and aims to encourage and reward ambition and scale in the field of contemporary weaving. 

Click here for more information and to apply. 

The Courtyard Hereford seeks makers for a new retail space 

To find out more about the space, find out whether you align with their ethos and values and to apply/express interest, look on their webpages. 

Careers and Funding

Careers Advice  

We are very pleased to be able to offer graduates who have graduated within the last 18 months the opportunity to apply for free careers advice with HCA’s careers advisor, Gail Kilminster. There will be around 16 tutorial opportunities with Gail each month. To book one please email G.Kilminster@hca.ac.uk. Slots will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis. This is a pilot offer and will be reviewed regularly. 

Advice on applying for funding 

Although aimed at community groups, The Resource Centre offers some excellent advice around funding applications, which can be equally applied to many arts funding streams. 

Developing your Creative Practice Arts Council fund 

Round 11 will open for applications on 05 August 2021. In the meantime, check out the details on their website to find out more about this grant aimed at supporting individual makers and creatives to develop their practice 

Esmee Fairbairn – Arts Funding 

The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation is one of the largest independent grant-making foundations in the UK.  The Foundation aims to improve the quality of life for people and communities in the UK both now and in the future.  We do this by supporting organisations that do charitable work in the arts, with children and young people the environment, food and social change.  We are happy to consider applications to fund core or project costs.  

More details on the Esmee Fairbairn website. 

Funding for PhD’s 

Funding for doctoral level study in the Arts and Humanities is generally made through the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Take a look at the AHRC website for more details. The South, West and Wales Doctoral Training partnership is currently open for applications. 

 $550.00 Innovate Grants — Call for Artists + Photographers 

Summer 2021 Open for Submissions — Innovate Grant awards (2) $550.00 grants each quarter, to one Visual Artist and one Photographer. In addition to receiving a grant award, winners will be featured and recognized on our website and join a growing community of vibrant and talented artists. 

For more information and to apply visit https://innovateartistgrants.org 

Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust open for applications 
The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust will be accepting new applications for funding between 12 July and 16 August 2021.  For further details and to apply please visit www.qest.org.uk. Deadline for applications is 5pm, Monday 16 August. 

Herefordshire Council Funding Update  

This local funding directory offers great guidance around local and national current opportunties. Keep checking it out as it offers up-to-date advice and guidance on local sources of funding for small projects. 

‘Steps to Success’ 

Office for Students have released an interactive resource/guide to support graduates.  

This guide is for students who are about to graduate and are at the start of their career journey. It has been produced with 2021 graduates in mind, but current students and recent graduates may also find it helpful.