PS2 (Belfast) Among Recipients of Freelands Artist Programme Funding

The recipients of the inaugural Freelands Artist Programme have been announced, with four organisations receiving £1.5m over a five-year period to curate a series of two-year programmes with local graduating artists.

Based in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, the organisations are: G39, Cardiff; Site Gallery, Sheffield; and Talbot Rice Gallery, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh. The fourth winner is PS2 (Paragon Studios / Project Space), in Belfast, Northern Ireland, which recently lost its annual funding from Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

The aim of the award, which was set up by Freelands Foundation, is to encourage emerging artists to stay in the area after graduating rather than moving to London. This will involve offering support to a total of 80 artists over the five-year period, including both professional and creative resources. There will also be an injection of financial support into regional arts ecosystems.

Each organisation will receive an annual programming budget of £25,000 plus an additional annual grant of £5,000 per artist. There will also be additional support for a group exhibition in London that will showcase highlights from the participating organisations and artists, plus an annual symposium featuring participation from each organisation.

For more information on the Freelands Artist Programme visit: freelandsfoundation.co.uk/