FLAMM exhibition - Air Ambulance charity shop, Fore St Bodmin
Elaine Foster-Gandey Art gallery, 15 Queen Street. Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0AD
A Dress of Bodmin is a collaborative textile artwork created by local artist Rebecca Wood and mentor Elaine Foster-Gandey with the Bodmin community. Through shared stories, memories, and handmade contributions, the dress reflects personal and collective transformation, celebrating Bodmin’s past, present, and creative spirit during the Flamm festival.
If you’re an emerging artist finding your feet in Cornwall, you’re in the right place. From the creative communities of Cornwall to the growing network of support around Bodmin, there are more opportunities than ever to develop your practice, build confidence, and connect with others. Whether you’re looking for funding to kickstart a project, free or low-cost creative courses, studio space, or mentoring, this guide brings together some of the most accessible artist opportunities in and around Cornwall to help you take your next steps with clarity and confidence.
My name is Elaine Foster-Gandey and I have an art gallery in Lostwithiel on 15 Queen Street. Some of the work I get involved in is mentoring new artists who have a vision and need help realising that vision. I am mentoring local Bodmin Artist Rebecca Wood, with her ‘Dress of Bodmin’, an outfit that has words written on it from the different groups we have engaged with, that are all sewn into the Bodice and Skirt. The dress will be exhibited at the Air Ambulance Charity Shop on Fore St Bodmin as part of the Flamm festival on SAT 28th and Sun 1st March.
As a continuation of the project, we are setting up an artists meet up at Into Bodmin each month. Please get in touch if you would like to join us for a natter.
Here are some resources that may help you to take that first step as an artist to realise your vision.
Grants and Funding
Local Creative Grants
Young and talented - Cornwall Community Foundation
Supporting young people in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly with art and development costs
Available for young artists from the age of 14-23
Grants range from £500 - £2,000
Ideal for recent graduates under 23 and emerging artists with ambition
https://youngandtalentedcornwall.org/how-to-apply/core-award/
Rise - Funding for young creatives
Aimed at young artists aged 13-30 that are in the South East and parts of the South West area.
Funding available for equipment, material supplies, cultural trips, transport, ticket costs, attending training, workshops and classes, mentoring and even collaborating with other creatives.
https://artswork.org.uk/your-creative-career/funding-for-young-creatives
Artys Bosvena Grants - Creative Kernow
Grants that support community led work
Eligibility dependant on project idea based in or around Bodmin
Grants are available up to £5,000
Ideal for artists who are interested in social and community topics
https://flamm.creativekernow.org.uk/feast-artys-bosvena-grants/
Feast Cornwall - Artys Kemeneth and Palsterwari Grants
Smaller grants available £500 - £1,000 and main grants are for up to £2,500
To support projects that are deeply embedded within a community and to support cultural and creative activities. Larger grants are to involve multiple artists or a large audience.
https://feastcornwall.org/types-of-funding/
Cornwall Council Community Chest
Gives small grants to non-profit groups across Cornwall
Grants cover a wide range of activities including, public events, festivals and exhibitions.
Projects to improve awareness of community information and community environmental projects.
Ideal for graduates and practising professionals who are interested in addressing community and social relevance.
https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/people-and-communities/cornwall-council-community-chest/
Creative Kernow - Offer fully funded courses for creatives
£100 bursaries available
Fully funded courses
Do not need to be a member to apply but during the course, membership is needed at £5/month and can be cancelled at any time
Career support and guidance talks available with membership
(£5/month)
https://associates.creativekernow.org.uk/resources/
National Creative Grants
Art Council England - Developing your creative practise (DYCP) and The National Lottery Project Grants
Bursary aimed at individual practitioners who have a few years of practise behind them after education
Grants range from £1,000 - £100,000
Competitive grant great for creating new work and networking
https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/ProjectGrants
https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/dycp
The Henry Moore Grants for Artists
Awards £750,00 annually, seeking to continue Moore’s legacy in sculpture.
Applicants are open four times a year by the grants committee.
Grant funding is available for exhibitions, exhibition catalogues, commissions, conferences, research, non-commercial publications and the development of collections, conservation, cataloguing and display.
https://henry-moore.org/press/henry-moore-foundation-2026-programme/#henry-moore-grants
Black Artists Grant
Grantees can spend the funds wherever they want, whether that is making new work or using it for equipment, travel, materials or even just to cover life expenses.
Grant of £500
https://www.creativedebuts.co.uk/bag
Activist Art fund
If you are wanting to create community, social art and need funding for materials
https://www.creativedebuts.co.uk/activist-art-fun
Networking Opportunities and Support
New Artist Network - Hall for Cornwall
Support network for early-career artists including recent graduates
Offers workshops, masterclasses, grant writing support, professional development and connection opportunities
Great resource to have before applying for larger funding
https://www.hallforcornwall.co.uk/new-artist-network/
Emerging Artists Bursary - St Ives School of Painting
Bursary aimed at young artists living in Cornwall to help pay for intensive art course intuition.
Available for artists aged 19-35
Bursary covers 80% of course fees up to £340
Ideal for building technique and connecting with established professionals in the area
https://www.schoolofpainting.co.uk/bursary-for-emerging-artists/
Cornwall Creative Growth Programme
The programme aimed to develop business skills for self employed artists and to help creative businesses.
Art Council and Creative Careers Support
They offer various online resources and sometimes training and grant information for individual creatives.
Good support for recent graduates and offer support to individual creatives
Online Opportunities
ArtRabbit
A platform for international events, exhibitions, talks and online courses.
Great for exploring Art residences, events, opportunities and competitions.
Both international and national opportunities online or in-person.
https://www.artrabbit.com/online
Shoebox
Free Programs for artists.
Build your community and advance your career.
Offer community conversations and weekly support and learning
Studio visit exchange - open internationally
https://www.shoeboxarts.com/free-programs
Free opportunities for young adults
Saturday Art Club - CAST
Offering young people aged between 11-16 to take part in creative activities in an engaging and supporting environment.
Sessions free of charge with all materials provided
Engagement with a wide range of artists many of whom have studios or close links with CAST.
Sessions run from 10:30am - 1pm and 2pm - 4:30pm.
To join the saturday art club contact Kate Turner at kate@castcornwall.art
Other workshops are frequently posted online
https://castcornwall.art/learning/programme/saturday-club/
The National Art and Design Saturday Club - Arts University Plymouth
Provides young adults aged 14-16 the opportunity to study art every saturday morning at their local art college or university for free.
https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/young-arts/national-art-and-design-saturday-club
Free activities for artists who are looking at expanding their community
Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery
Creative Wellbeing Cafe
Drop in once a month for creative activities and a cup of tea.
You can bring your own projects or join in with others.
The group is open to all adults who may benefit from a creative space.
Takes place on the first Tuesday of every month 3-4pm
https://cornwallmuseum.org/health-wellbeing/
Sketch Club
Every Wednesday 11-12pm in the gallery
Led by volunteers and artists
Open to all abilities
Free with annual pass
Mindful Art Club
Weekly groups offer coffee, creativity and company within community support services around Plymouth and Devon.
Can access previous session recordings online
The National Gallery - Talk and Draw
Free Workshops hosted weekly every friday 4pm-5pm
All skill levels are invited to engage with gallery artwork through discussion and activities
https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/events?c=Workshops
Awenek Studio - Cornish for Creative
Free workshops and courses, many to explore online
South East Cornwall
Offer weekly workshops sessions and clubs for creatives
https://awenekstudio.org/whats-on/
Free or Subsidised courses for New artists ot those that want to build skill knowledge
Including those on Job Seekers Allowance or Universal Credit
Cornwall College
Offer free courses on creative subjects including, art and design, photography, textiles, digital media, graphic design. Offer free courses in you are unemployed or are on benefits including JSA and UC
An introduction to drawing - Art Course
An Introduction to Access - Print and Textiles
An Introduction to Access - Photography
An Introduction to Microsoft Software Basics
Creative writing
https://www.cornwall.ac.uk/adult/free-adult-courses/free-creative-courses/
Skills Bootcamps - National Careers
AI in Creative Content Production
Business Skills for Indie Game Studios
https://www.skillsforcareers.education.gov.uk/pages/training-choice/skills-bootcamp
WEA Creative Courses - Adult Learning within Reach
Free or low cost
Sessions are fully funded for people on Job Seekers Allowance, Universal Credit or on a low wage.
Online or remote
Offer a variety of online courses designed to encourage artistic development and self expression.
Sessions cover everything from drawing and painting to photography and digital design.
https://www.wea.org.uk/courses/arts-crafts
The Kings Trust
Offers support for young adults up to 30 years with training and creative pathways and programmes.
Free or funded
https://www.kingstrust.org.uk/how-we-can-help/explore-all-support
The Open University
A freelance Career in the Creative Arts
Free courses online
Falmouth University
Short online courses for creatives wanting to develop certain areas of their practise
Small fees apply.
Suited for those of all levels, from start-up entrepreneurs to established business owners.
https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/study/short-courses/business-marketing-advertising-short-courses
Free Online Social Media Advice
Instagram Free Masterclasses
Eventbrite
Youtube
Community & Workshop Programs
Cornwall Crafts & Arts Workshops (Liskeard) – Free courses in watercolour painting, printmaking, woodcraft and fabrics for local residents aimed at building confidence and skills.
Awenek Studio (Rame Peninsula) – Free Art for Well-Being weekly sessions at Torpoint Library with all materials provided, plus Crafty Cuppa creative meet-ups to bring your own project and connect with others.
Other Accessible LearninG
ESF “Get Creative” Workshops (Mor Media Charity) – One free creative workshop for Cornish residents through the European Social Fund initiative, covering writing and creative expression themes.
Networks & Support (Free Entry to Events / Resources)
Hall for Cornwall – New Artist Network
While not strictly a course, the New Artist Network provides free entry to skills sessions, talks, practice-led workshops and career info for early-career creatives across art forms.
We hope you enjoy exploring the information above, please email e.fostergandey@gmail.com if you would like to get involved with projects at my gallery or come along to our monthly artists network meetings at IntoBodin