Resilient Artist Cohort: Free Training & Exhibition Programme
The Resilient Artist Cohort is a free, artist-led development programme supporting six Leeds-based artists through mentoring, skill-sharing workshops, and hands-on exhibition experience.
If this programme doesn’t feel right for you, you won’t be missing out. Over the course of the programme, we will run subsidised public workshops, training, and mentoring to help you build skills and prepare for future opportunities.
This is more than just a training programme—it’s a space for collaboration, experimentation, and growth. Artists will work with galleries, co-produce exhibitions, and explore new ways of working to strengthen the Leeds creative community.
What You'll Gain
- Expert-led training on curation, funding, strategy, and more.
- One-to-one mentorship tailored to your artistic journey.
- Insights from working artists on sustaining a creative career.
- Collaboration opportunities to curate and exhibit your work.
- A £250 bursary to help with costs.
Who Should Apply?
- Have at least five exhibition-ready artworks (this is about showcasing existing work, not creating new pieces).
- Work in a wall-based format or small plinths (large pieces may not fit the space).
- Live in Leeds (must have a Leeds postcode).
- Have been out of formal education for at least two years—self-taught artists welcome.
- Are keen to learn, share, and collaborate in a supportive environment.
- Can commit to all sessions, online planning meetings, and monthly check-ins.
- Are interested in alternative learning models, self-led education, and holistic approaches to creativity.
- Want to help shape the future of the Leeds art scene through collaboration and change.
We strongly encourage applications from underrepresented artists in the visual arts, including artists from Global Ethnic Majority backgrounds, disabled artists, LGBTQ+ artists, and artists who have faced socio-economic barriers.
This is a unique opportunity to gain expert knowledge, mentorship, and real-world exhibition experience—all for free.
We have scheduled key workshops on Saturdays to improve accessibility. Please note: All workshops will take place at The Mill Gallery, located on the first floor, which does not have step-free access.
Bios, Marketing, Press & Workshop Development will be planned with cohort and will be a mixture of 1-2-1 support and tailored skill development. All cohort members will also be able to use our gallery space as coworking spaces to work independently or with the other cohorts members.
Timeline & Key Dates
- Open call 1st May - 15th May
- Successful Artists Notified - 22nd May
- 7th June: Cohort 1 – Orientation & Goal Setting
- 21st June: Cohort 2 – Practice Sharing & Skill Development
- Mentoring and Group Chat will be scheduled with the cohort
- Exhibition 1: 15th August – 5th September 2025
- Exhibition 2: 12th September – 3rd October 2025
Workshops & Professional Development
- 26th July: Exhibition Best Practice & Etiquette
- 30th July: Artist Statement & Bio Writing
- 13th August: Artist Online Audit - Social Media & Website Crit
- 22nd August: Fund Your Ideas 1:1 Session
- 29th August: Portfolio Reviews 1:1 Session
- 1:1 Mentoring Sessions Available
Alongside the core programme for the Resilient Artist Cohort, we’re offering a series of professional development workshops open to both cohort members and the wider creative community.
Led by practicing artists and arts professionals, these workshops will explore topics like funding, curation, marketing, and sustaining a creative career. While tailored to support the cohort’s growth, many sessions will be open to the public at subsidised rates, creating space for more artists to develop skills and connect with peers.
Whether you’re part of the cohort or attending a single session, you’ll be joining a collaborative, supportive learning environment designed to strengthen the Leeds creative scene.
Applications open on 1st May
Be the First to Know! Sign up now and get alerted when applications are open.
FAQ's
It’s a free, artist-led development programme for six Leeds-based visual artists. It offers mentorship, training, and hands-on experience curating and exhibiting artwork.
We’re looking for artists over the age of 18 who:
Are based in Leeds (you must have a Leeds postcode).
Have at least five exhibition-ready artworks.
Work in wall-based formats or small plinth-based pieces.
Have been out of formal education for at least two years (self-taught artists welcome!).
Are open to collaboration, learning, and sharing.
Can commit to all sessions, check-ins, and planning meetings.
Are interested in alternative, holistic, and self-led learning models.
We strongly encourage applications from artists who identify as part of underrepresented communities in the visual arts, including:
Artists from Global Ethnic Majority backgrounds
Disabled artists
LGBTQ+ artists
Artists who’ve experienced socio-economic barriers
That’s absolutely fine! We’ll be running a range of affordable public workshops, training sessions, and mentoring opportunities throughout the programme—open to all artists. There will be plenty of ways to build your skills and stay connected with the creative community.
Applications open: 1st May – 15th May 2025
Programme sessions (all Saturdays):
7th June: Orientation & Goal Setting
21st June: Practice Sharing & Skill Development
5th July: Artwork Selection & Curation Planning
Exhibitions:
15th August – 5th September 2025
12th September – 3rd October 2025
Mentorship, group chats, and other planning will happen flexibly with the cohort.
Location: All sessions are at The Mill Gallery (first floor, no step-free access).
Artworks must be:
Exhibition-ready
Wall-based or suitable for small plinths
Please note: Large or heavy works might not fit the space.
The application form will go live on 1st May 2025. Please complete the application before the deadline on 15th May
If you can commit to the core sessions, check-ins, and planning meetings, you’re welcome to apply. We understand artists juggle many things, so flexibility and communication are key.
However, if you can’t commit to the key dates, this may not be the right time for you to join the cohort. That said, you can still book onto our public workshops and mentoring sessions happening throughout the programme—there will still be plenty of opportunities to learn and get involved.
This work wouldn’t be possible without the amazing support of our funders and supporters:
