Graduate Opportunities

We recognise that some Visual Arts graduates may wish to undertake a period of further personal development in the School that is strategic towards future post-graduate or career ambitions.

Over the years we have established 3 schemes that offer graduates valuable opportunities to gain experience in an area of arts practice or gallery/arts management.

Each of the schemes aims to:

  • deliver a specific range of outcomes that allow the individual to realise their potential and to operate in the stimulating environment of the studios and exhibition spaces in the School
  • encourage the graduate to participate and contribute to the rich programme of activities by working alongside the staff and students
  • help the graduate develop and profile their emerging professional portfolio within the regional arts network, and beyond.

A further aim is to equip graduates with skills and expertise that they may need for applications to MA/MFA/Post-Graduate research or enterprise activity in the professional arena of contemporary arts and the cultural industries.

The 3 Graduate Opportunity Schemes are:

  • Graduate Fellowship
  • Gallery North Internship
  • Graduate Studio Northumbria

We need to know your name and current home contact details including personal e-mail addresses and mobile numbers.

You must write a statement of intent, telling us why you want to undertake the Graduate Opportunity and what are your aims and ambitions. Please ensure that these match the scheme of your choice. If you wish to apply for one or more schemes, then you must write a separate statement for each.

Finally, you should submit:

  • your completed application form (contact details and A4 statement/s of intent)
  • a current CV
  • 6 examples of your work (slides or j.pegs) and /or a sample of your critical writing


The following information outlines each of the 3 Graduate Opportunity schemes

Graduate Fellowship
Graduate Fellowships are awarded to a small number of students who have already demonstrated a high level of engagement in their undergraduate subject discipline in the visual arts i.e. painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, video, installation etc. Successful applicants will be given a studio space in their subject area and will work closely with academic staff to support aspects of the undergraduate programme.

Applicants will also be able to demonstrate the ability to work independently and professionally.

We recognise that many graduates use the Fellowship scheme to develop their practice towards an application for an MA / MFA programme or to gain valuable teaching experience needed for a career in arts related education.

Graduate Fellowships last for one academic year starting in September - ending in June.

Gallery North Interns
Gallery North and Gallery North Project Space are established venues with an excellent reputation for delivering a challenging programme of contemporary exhibitions and educational events. The Gallery Internship scheme is an opportunity for arts graduates from any of the studio practice or arts humanities disciplines to gain experience in all the areas of gallery management i.e. curatorship, organisation, funding, display methodologies, technical support, health and safety, marketing, conservation etc. We recognise that there a number of career and post graduate opportunities in arts management and the cultural industries. GN Interns are well placed to be employed in both the flourishing commercial gallery and public art museum sector.

In applying for an Internship you must outline what skills and ideas you could bring to both the Gallery North venues and how you would use the experience for future career plans. Please tell us about any previous voluntary work in the gallery sector or professional practice activities which you could contribute to the GN team.

Gallery North Internships last for one academic year starting in September - ending in June.

Graduate Studio Northumbria
Graduate Studio Northumbria is the new professional studio resource located above Gallery North.  GSN's primary function is to support graduate enterprise, innovation and professional development in the visual arts. This scheme aims to support emerging artists, offer business advice and profile their work throughout the gallery and cultural industry networks. It is operated through a studio membership that costs £150 per year. Arts graduates from across practice based subject?s work in a multi-disciplinary studio space that is linked to the GSN Skylight, the Departments professional practice centre. This unique facility provides excellent studio provision at a critical time in an artist?s career.

In applying for a membership of GSN you must outline your professional practice skills and ambitions as an artist. We are keen to know about future projects or exhibitions that can be produced in the studios. Collaborating artists are welcome to apply.

GSN Memberships can last for up to two years starting from the date of appointment. 

* Full Terms and Conditions can be downloaded.