Are you studying a creative subject in Yorkshire or are you from Yorkshire and studying a creative subject elsewhere? Apply now for Ones to Watch 2024 - our annual exhibition for emerging artists. FREE TO APPLY.

We are looking for artists, makers, designers and creatives working in all media; painting, sculpture, jewellery, ceramics, film, sound, text, glass, metal, performance, wood, furniture, and more, to be part of our annual student showcase exhibition.

Sunny Bank Mills is an independent art gallery based in the 3,000ft cloth warehouse of a former textile mill. For the past 10 years, Ones to Watch has supported more than 350 emerging artists based in or from Yorkshire in all creative disciplines; giving them the opportunity to exhibit in a gallery setting in a professionally curated exhibition. Many have sold work during the show, gone on to exhibit professionally elsewhere and maintained relationships with the Gallery; featuring in subsequent exhibitions, or selling prints, ceramics, jewellery etc through our gallery shop.

The exhibition will take place between March and April 2024 (dates may change but will be confirmed before applications close).

Always free to enter. 

Exhibitors are selected by a panel who judge independently and together. Studio residencies and financial prizes are awarded by both judges and exhibition visitors.  

Reasons to apply: 

• The opportunity to exhibit in a professional, established independent gallery with extensive social media & website coverage and thousands of visitors annually. Featured in The Times in 2020 as one of the few galleries to have a live exhibition supporting graduate artists when many degree shows were virtual or cancelled. 
• Professional photographs of the exhibition and your work.
• The opportunity to meet and network with other artists from across the region.
• Support on how to present, price and sell your work commercially. 
• Judges' Prize and People's Choice Prize winners (voted for by visitors to the gallery) will receive money.
• Winners and runners up take part in the Ones to Watch artist residencies with access to a free studio space for a month – 6 weeks. (5 residencies last year)

To be eligible for this opportunity you must be either:

• A current student on a creative degree, MA or foundation course in Yorkshire.
• A 2023 graduate from a creative degree, MA or foundation course in Yorkshire (including postgrad).
• A current student/or 2023 graduate from a creative degree outside of Yorkshire, if you were originally born, from or reside in Yorkshire.
• In alternative arts education. This year this opportunity is also extended to individuals who may be studying creative based courses but are not doing so through formal education.

When applying for this opportunity we would really appreciate if you could fill out our equal opportunities survey.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/B3M6MZT

DEADLINE: Sunday 21 January 2024.

Tips to strengthen your application:

• Attach clean, high-quality photos of the work you plan to exhibit and add names and dimensions (if applicable) to the image descriptions. Please include any other images that support your artists' statement or help to create an impression of your practice as a whole, but clearly label the work you are putting forward for the show.
• Ensure any video or website links are still active and include passwords if the link is private.
• Clearly describe the work you are submitting, as well as discussing your practice in general.
• If your work involves tech, including speakers, screens or media players - please let us know if you are able to provide this, as we have limited access and may have to limit the number of multimedia applications.
• If your work is digital or photographic, please think about how your work would be presented or printed, as you may only have 4-5 weeks to arrange this. We would recommend reaching out to local printers for quotes as soon as possible. Unfortunately, we are unable to assist artists with printing costs.

Sunny Bank Mills Gallery

Mid-way between Leeds and Bradford; 3000 square feet of light airy exhibition and performance space in a former textile mill. Also home to the mill's Textile Archive, artist studios and a number of creative businesses including graphic designers, commercial photographers, and more.

www.sunnybankmills.co.uk

FB: /sunnybankmillsgallery

X : @sunnybankmills

Instagram: @sunnybankmills