Middlesbrough Art Week has expanded this year to work with 5 Universities – Northumbria University, Teesside University, Northern School of Art, Newcastle University and University of Sunderland - on the New Graduate Award.

Supporting all Graduating Artists

The MAW curator and artistic director visit each University, giving a professional practice session to each cohort. This is particularly impactful in terms of building confidence in subject-specific employability and networks for graduating art students.

The Award

The award itself consists of a three-month (July - Sept 2024) residency, based in Gateshead, Sunderland & Middlesbrough. This kicks off with a two-day intensive induction to the residency, mandatory for all participants. This years Intensive includes an artist talk by Eve Cromwell, Artist Statement workshop with George Vasey, An opportunities workshop with Conor Ruth from Starving Artists and a video call with New Contemporaries. We also will visit Stockton arts fair, MIMA and have inhouse workshops on writing invoices, applying for opportunities and budgeting.  Previous years, visiting organisations and artists included former Platform A Gallery curator Micheala Wetherall; Stuart Langley, specialising in large scale public art work, including the Beating Heart at Middlesbrough’s Church House and Jenny Mc Namara & Evelyn Cromwell of The Spaghetti Factory

The 2024 support package to artists includes:

• £500 exhibition fee.

• Upto £250 materials budget.

• Upto £150 travel costs.

• Online support.

• Three months of studio provision in Newcastle, Sunderland or Middlesbrough. 

• Two-day intensive induction workshop.

• 2 group crits with the MAW curator team.

• Exhibition at MAW 2024 (Sept 26th - Oct 5th).

• Workshop with the MIMA curatorial team.

• The opportunity to show new work to public audiences.

• Support with an application proposal.

• Travel and accommodation for the opening night of the festival

• Networking opportunities with other artists, arts professionals, curators and exhibition/event venues.

• Support from Middlesbrough Art Week throughout the project.

• Technical support from Middlesbrough Art Week throughout the project.

• 1 years Starving Artists Opportunities database membership

• 1-1 Workshop with George Vasey

We are working to enhance the support package year on year. A full list of our New Graduates can be found below.
This years studio providers are:

Orbis Community: Gateshead
Breeze Creatives: Sunderland
Navigator North: Middlesbrough