PLATFORM BURSARY 2026
£1000 bursary + mentoring
Deadline: 31st January 2026
b-side and Dorset Visual Arts are offering a £1000 artist bursary open to emerging artists or established artists based in Dorset who would like to develop and experiment with a change of practice. This award is in partnership with Visual Arts South West.
Deadline for applications 31st January 2026
Why apply for a Platform Bursary?
This is primarily a development opportunity, with mentoring support. The bursary includes:
- £1k artist fee (this can be used on travel, materials or other resources that support your work)
- Mentoring from b-side and DVA
- VASW Practice in Place Blog
- 90 minute mentoring session with VASW Director
- Free one year membership to DVA – DVA Membership includes: Artist profile page of DVA website, monthly member newsletter, access to exclusive DVA showcase opportunities, development resources, support, networking and more
- Potential to create a piece of work to be shown at the 2026 b-side festival
How to apply
Please make sure that your application includes the following:
- A summary description of you and your work (max 300 words)
Please include within this:
- How you hope to benefit from this bursary
- Any ideas of areas of interest that you would like to explore and develop
- Images (10 max) or web links illustrating previous work
Your application and images must be sent as ONE pdf document, please label the document with your name.
Deadline: 31st January 2026
Send your completed application to: sandy@b-side.org.uk please put PLATFORM BURSARY PROPOSAL in the email subject line. Your application will be acknowledged so you know we have received it.
If you are unable to apply using this format, please contact us and we can agree on another suitable format for you (e.g. video).
The final selection of Platform Bursary Artists for 2026 will be made by VASW, b-side and Dorset Visual Arts.
Download full brief below
Successful Artists will be notified by end of February 2026.
