We're thrilled to announce that we have confirmed our 2025/26 cohort! With 66 artist residents across 12 hosts, this is our largest group since 2016. Thank you to everyone who applied to take part.

Calling all artists, makers and designers! Want free access to university/college workshops + studios this year? With an AA2A residency, you can: ✨ Develop your creative practice ✨ Access professional facilities + equipment ✨ Be part of a national network ⏰ Applications close from 31st August

AA2A gives artists and makers from a wide range of backgrounds, disciplines, and specialisms the chance to develop their work using high-quality university and college facilities. Here’s what they say about us! 🌟 (Responses from 92 AA2A residents over the last two years)

Applications for 2025/26 are now live! Apply for a placement with one of our 12 host institutions across England. Open to visual artists, designer-makers, and creatives working across a wide range of practices - from traditional to contemporary and emerging media. aa2a.org/application-...

AA2A connects artists with colleges/universities in England, offering students real-world creative experience and artists access to equipment and facilities 🎨 2025-26 residency applications open next week - details coming soon 🔗 tinyurl.com/3p6dupbh 🗓️ Most deadlines in Sept. More info to follow

Most artists belonging to the Artists’ Union England (AUE) are earning far below the UK median wage, according to a new report published by the union and artist-run organisation Industria.

Without equitable access to life enhancing benefits, disabled people's participation in culture is severely limited, writes the UK's arts access champion Andrew Miller.

Applications for AA2A artist residencies will be opening soon! Got questions? We’ve got answers, plus insight from Emily Stubbs, current AA2A artist at York St John University Live online Q&A Tuesday 15th July 1:30pm Tickets booking fast! Link to Eventbrite in bio

📢 Applications for AA2A artist residencies will be opening soon! Got questions? We’ve got answers 🎨 Join our live online Q&A 🗓️ Tuesday 15th July ⏰ 1:30 PM ✨ Tickets are booking fast, don’t delay! Link to Eventbrite in bio

Considering an AA2A artist residency? Join our live online Q&A at 1:30 PM on Tuesday July 15th with AA2A artist at York St John, Emily Stubbs Free to attend but booking required via Eventbrite, link in bio 📸 Image: Arianna Milesi, artist resident at Nottingham Trent University 24-25

AA2A seeks freelancers to deliver in-person sessions on employment in the creative industries to students across England. We encourage applications from artists from underrepresented backgrounds. Deadline: 5pm Sun 13 July Apply now: link in bio

📸 We’re excited to share this great short film by AA2A Student Ambassador Csaba Kolbai from Bucks New Uni, capturing AA2A artist resident Jo Cohn’s creative process. 📸 The video was submitted as part of our annual photo/video competition 📸 More about Csaba here tinyurl.com/bddhcm36

Thinking of applying for an AA2A residency? Join our live online Q&A with Emily Stubbs, current AA2A artist at York St John University – Tues 15 July, 1:30 PM Free but booking required via Eventbrite: tinyurl.com/u5em7f4k

Should the government invest more in the arts? AA2A explores the case for increased funding in our latest newsletter. aa2a.substack.com/p/should-the...

As the academic year wraps up, thanks to Lily Jemmett who has been our Student Ambassador at York St John University Full profile here: tinyurl.com/bdvzzhn5 Part of AA2A’s Creative Futures: aa2a.org/creative-fut...

Highlighting the work of AA2A artist resident Arianna Milesi who earned 3rd place in our AA2A Photo/Video Competition! 📸 Alongside other AA2A artists at Nottingham Trent University, Arianna led a fun and engaging creative workshop for students. See more of her work: tinyurl.com/3mze8e4c

Very pleased to share Lorna Ellen's short film which won 2nd place in AA2A's photo/video competition 🎉 We enjoyed how her film captures a typical day as an AA2A artist in residence at the University of Staffs 🔗 aa2a.org/artists/lorn... We’ll share more of this year’s winning videos + images soon

As a Student Ambassador, Lily Jemmett shares how AA2A’s artist residencies offer real, tangible support for students navigating the uncertain path after graduation - through networking, mentorship, and practical insights into creative careers. Read the full article here - tinyurl.com/bad385k6

Want your arts students to gain real-world creative experience and professional insight? AA2A places contemporary artists in universities & colleges across the UK, empowering students through direct engagement with practising creatives. Click here to find out more - aa2a.org/discover/

Shout out to our Student Ambassadors at the University of Sunderland, Alicja Stasiak and Kerry Ann Chappell Full profiles here: aa2a.org/hosts/univer... The Student Ambassador programme forms part of AA2A’s Creative Futures initiative aa2a.org/creative-fut...

AA2A has been quietly reshaping the UK’s visual arts landscape through a simple but powerful idea - connecting established artists with universities and colleges. Almost three decades on, this exchange continues to leave a lasting mark. Find out more about our journey - substack.com/home/post/p-...

📣 Applications are now open for Round 23 of Developing Your Creative Practice! 🌟 Ready to take your practice to the next stage? Start your application 🔗https://buff.ly/hVVi126 🗓️ Deadline for applications 12pm on 22 May 2025! #LetsCreate 📸Howaboutdave Photography

🎉 Excited to announce the winner of this year’s AA2A photo/video competition! First prize goes to Sid White-Jones at Anglia Ruskin We loved his subtle, focused video showing student engagement with his practice. Guest judge Wes Foster praised its confident, abstract style. aa2a.org/artists/sid-...

Our second AA2A photo/video competition is a wrap! 🎬📷 Thanks to guest judge Wes Foster for his thoughtful eye and creative input. Wes brings experience of photography, design and storytelling - and he's a valued member of our AA2A Advisory Board wesfoster.co.uk Winning entries to be shared soon!

I'm really quite pleased with how it's going so far... LOTS still to do! #paintinginprogress #colour #tone #dolls #artstudio #aa2a #aa2aresidency #universityofchester

Almost 30% of the creative industries' workforce is freelance, who must be supported. Our latest report sets out a vision for a fairer freelance economy, sharing stats behind the stories of #freelancers and suggesting major policy changes to combat these challenges. 🔗 freelance.wearecreative.uk

100+ attended our employability seminar series this year tackling: 🔥 Networking (even if you hate it) 💡 Selling your work - minus the cringe 📅 Managing projects 📊 Business skills (even if numbers scare you) Big thanks to our panellists! 🙌 More on employability 👉 aa2a.org/creative-fut...

Introducing our Student Ambassadors at Blackpool School of Arts: Carla Neves Lisa-Marie Wilcock Bracken Walsh Joseph O'Gara Stacey Chambers Profiles: tinyurl.com/7psdfa2y The Student Ambassador programme forms part of AA2A’s Creative Futures initiative aa2a.org/creative-fut...

Seminar #4 – Do I need to be good at maths to run my own business? 🗓 Wed 19th March ⏰ 1-2pm (online) We’ll cover: ✅ Registering as self-employed ✅ Business types ✅ Managing money even if numbers aren’t your thing! 🎟 Free for students, staff & AA2A artists at host institutions. aa2a.org/seminars/

Seminar #3 today: How do I manage projects when life is so hectic? Funding your creative projects and project management Panellists: Lizzy Jordan and Ryan Boultbee Free for students at AA2A hosts, otherwise link in bio for tickets 3rd of 4 seminars this year aa2a.org/seminars/

Celebrating one of our AA2A residents from last year at Bucks New Uni, Jess Starns is now Adobe Creative resident at the Victoria & Albert museum. She will be exploring inclusive design in the collection and creating a body of work for display from December. V&A residencies: tinyurl.com/mrx793xz

Seminar #2 - How do I sell my work when I’m not a salesperson? Marketing, personal brand and online sales for artists and makers 1-2pm Wednesday 5th March 2025 Panellists Sophie Nowakowska and Jessica Grady Free for students and artists at AA2A hosts, otherwise link in bio for tickets

Online seminar 25.2.25 'Am I an artist yet?' Join AA2A and industry experts discussing how to get the balance right between continuing your artistic practice while making enough money to pay the rent, and more... Anyone not based at an AA2A host institution, tickets here: tinyurl.com/bdzdp5dy

AA2A 2025 Seminar #1 Am I an artist yet? Networking, collaboration, work/life balance for artists 1-2pm Tue 25 Feb Panel includes Mollie Balshaw of @shortsupply.bsky.social and Charlie Collins of No Jobs in the Arts Students at AA2A hosts attend free, otherwise info in bio aa2a.org/seminars/

Introducing our AA2A Student Ambassadors @angliaruskin.bsky.social #PikCheng #ElenaOoijman #MarilynMarsh Profiles: tinyurl.com/47n6bhwd The Student Ambassador programme forms part of AA2A’s Creative Futures initiative tinyurl.com/mwdy9tyk #aa2a #creativeindustries

Arts Council England has promised changes to the user experience of its much-maligned funding portal Grantium, which it says will be announced in spring.

Welcome to our Student Ambassadors at Buckinghamshire New University #AmelieHillier #Tara-leeHollander #CsabaKolbai Profiles here tinyurl.com/yy8fyyu8 The Student Ambassador programme forms part of AA2A’s Creative Futures initiative tinyurl.com/mwdy9tyk #aa2a #creativeindustries