Artist Awards

Apply once.

• Development Awards are open to all active Axis members.
   
• The Fellowship is open to Professional Members only.
  • If you are a Professional Member, your application will be considered for both the Fellowship and the Development Awards.
     

Not a member? Join Axis to apply for a Development Award.

To be considered for both the Fellowship and the Development Awards, apply to join as a Professional Member. Professional Membership is by application or invitation. You must have applied for Professional Membership two weeks before the Axis Award application deadline. 

35 artists will receive £1,000.

Use it to:

• test ideas
• start something new
• move your practice forward

Development Awards are flexible. There are no fixed outcomes. The funding is there to support your practice and help you keep going.

3 Professional Members will each receive:

• £4,000
• One-to-one mentoring
• Regular peer sessions with the other two
• Fellowship artists
• Support to share your work through Axis platforms and channels

It runs across:

• October to December 2026
• February to April 2027

The Development Awards may suit you if you:

• want support to make and develop new work
• want to test an idea or move your practice forward
• are open to sharing your process
• are ready to make the most of the opportunity

For the Fellowship, we are also looking for artists who:

• can commit time to the Fellowship between October 2026 and April 2027
• value feedback, peer support and working alongside others
• are ready to take part in mentoring, groups sessions and public sharing

There are no fixed outcomes. The funding is there to support your practice.

We’re looking for artists who are ready to make the most of the opportunity and share something about their process.

By taking part, awardees also help us show why direct support for artists matters, and why artists need time, trust and resources to keep making work.

All awardees will:

• share publicly that you’ve received an Axis Artist Award
• share at least one update on how the funding is used, before March 2027
• take part in a collaborative post or shared feature with Axis
• credit Axis when referencing the award
• be included in a publication showcasing supported artists

Fellowship artists will also:

• take part in sessions and mentoring
• share your work publicly through one of the following:
  • an artist talk
  • a filmed studio visit or interview
  • a written piece

You need to:

• be an Axis member
• be based in the UK
• keep your membership active

Development Awards are open to all active Axis members.

The Fellowship is open to Professional Members only. 

Professional Members will be considered for both the Fellowship and the Development Awards through the same application.
 

Applications are reviewed once, and both Fellowship and Development Awards are decided through the same process.

We look at:

• the strength and clarity of your ideas
• how the funding will support your practice
• your readiness to take part and make the most of the opportunity

For Fellowship applications, we will also consider your ability to take part in the cohort, mentoring and public sharing.

Key dates:

• Applications open: 11 June 2026
• Deadline: 26 July 2026
• Shortlist: 1 September 2026
• Fellowship Interviews: week of 8 September
• Applicants informed from week commencing 14 September 2026

Applications open for Axis members on 11 June 2026.

If you are already an Axis member, you’ll be able to apply through the Axis Community.

If you are not yet a member, join Axis to become eligible.

Members will receive full guidance, criteria and application details when applications open. You’ll also be able to ask questions in the Axis Community.

Axis is an independent charity, funded by our members. 

The Artist Awards are one way we turn that collective support into direct support for artists. This matters because artists need time, trust and direct support, not just opportunities tied to fixed outcomes.

This is membership in action. Artists supporting artists. Funding, visibility, connection and practical help, made possible together.