FREE ENTRY / Blast Theory - Jamie Iddon Award for UK emerging artists

We are very proud to announce a great opportunity for emerging artists.

In March 2022 our dear friend and former artist in Blast Theory Jamie Iddon died.

One of Jamie’s last wishes was to help artists trying to get started. He knew from first hand experience how tough it is to make work while juggling rent, debts and daily living expenses.

Jamie and his wife Mellie Pottle Iddon have donated money to create four awards. These are aimed at recent graduates or artists early in their career – of any age – who show amazing potential and who need a leg up.

So here it is.

We are looking to support artists or artist groups currently living in the UK with a grant of £3,000 each.

You will use the money to make a new piece of work to be shown to the public. It can be small or large: a work-in-progress, a prototype or demonstration, or a website, for example.

We are interested in work that is urgent, committed and skilful. It can be funny or serious, quick or slow. We expect competition for the fund to be intense: we will prioritise a clear expression of a strong artistic idea and an approach to delivering it. You do not need to have any formal education to qualify.

Jamie was from Bolton and studied Performance at De Monfort University in Leicester. He was funny, a great dancer and adored his family. He served in the RAF and as a paramedic in the NHS. He was rigorous in his approach to processes and methods, with a very fine attention to detail. If any of these qualities and concerns apply to you, please tell us about them in your application.

Blast Theory can also offer extra support to develop your project. If this could help you, tell us what you need. For example it might be:

• an initial conversation about your project
• ongoing mentoring
• access to equipment or space
• artistic or technical expertise that Blast Theory might have