Jerwood Art Fund Makers Open

Jerwood Art Fund Makers Open is a major commissioning opportunity supporting five early-career artists and makers to experiment, learn and take risks to produce new work for a national touring exhibition.

Jerwood Makers Open was established in 2010 to recognise and promote the significance of making practice and process within contemporary visual arts. It supports exceptional UK-based artists and makers to develop their creative ideas independently, enabling them to experiment, learn and take risks with substantial curatorial support.

The programme has benefited from Art Fund’s support in the most recent edition, becoming Jerwood Art Fund Makers Open.

Each programme looks for ambitious proposals, pushing the boundaries of craft, making and material exploration. Artists and makers from the across the UK are selected by a panel of experts, curators and artists, with the final five being awarded £8,000, dedicated curatorial support and a presentation of their new work in a national exhibition tour.

Every edition establishes new partnerships to strengthen the reach of the artists’ outstanding work in craft, applied arts and design, and increase public engagement and curatorial discourse with this artform.

Jessica Harrison, 54 Pins, 44 Followers, 2017. Commissioned for Jerwood Makers Open 2017, supported by Jerwood Charitable Foundation. Image: Anna Arca