Devon Artist Network announces five Emerging Artist Bursaries for Devon Open Studios

Devon Artist Network had announced the winners of its five Emerging Artist Bursaries for Devon Open Studios 2011.

The Emerging Artist Bursary is a scheme supported by one of our key sponsors, Helpful Holidays, and aims to provide important professional development opportunities for emerging artists.

To be eligible for the award, the artists had to be based in Devon and were required to submit a written account of their artistic objectives along with three samples of their work. All artistic disciplines were considered among the many applicants. The chosen winners were either returning to creative practice after a career break or change, or taking their art in a new direction.

The winners are Kirstie Benbow, Melanie Beer, Amy McCarthy, Nigel Waters and Francesca Dawson.

Linda Hajdukiewicz, the event coordinator explained why they created the bursaries. “We wanted to nurture and encourage new talent to take the next steps in their career by helping to fund their participation in this prestigious annual open studios event, and we are particularly grateful to Helpful Holidays who are funding this new initiative despite the difficult climate for arts funding,” she said.

Helpful Holidays have been a committed sponsor of Devon Open Studios for many years, delivering leaflets in their holiday packs and disseminating information to their clients. They understand and encourage the valuable connection between tourism and art in Devon, a county that has more working artists than any other in the UK.

• Devon Open Studios 2011 takes takes place September 3-18 across the county.