UK Creative Community Fellows is an online and in-person learning experience which brings together artists, community organisers, administrators and entrepreneurs from around the United Kingdom to explore new tools and frameworks around driving physical or social transformations through arts and culture. You’ll learn to make deeper connections with your community and build key partnerships with local organisations that will see your project thrive. It’s an opportunity to be part of something bigger, to learn life-changing skills, and to see dreams become reality.

Applications to join UK Creative Community Fellows are now closed. Thank you to all who applied!

You are… a creative change maker in your community. You’re an artist, community organiser, administrator or entrepreneur using arts and culture in a project to drive equitable social or physical transformations in your world.

You have… a good start, but want to take your project to the next level. You’re curious, collaborative, have an open mind and are determined to tackle the challenges ahead.

You want… to join a community of practice that will hold you accountable. Fellows are an incredible community dedicated to learning from and sharing with each other long after the programme has ended. You’re also someone who is eager to contribute your skills and take the time to apply what you learn.

You’ll gain… understanding of strategy and leadership from a teaching and facilitating team of artists, academics, and creative leaders from across the globe.

You’ll use… your new knowledge right away. Together, we’ll test, adapt and build on your work. You’ll walk away with clarity…and a game plan.

UK Creative Community Fellows’ curriculum is being co-created by members of the programme’s community to ensure Fellows gain relevant and proven tools to advance their projects. Past curriculums have included learnings on strategically communicating a project’s value, people-centered processes for developing and testing new ideas, and leadership via a growth mindset.

Programme Timeline

25 April 2024
Welcome Party (Online)
Your journey begins with a virtual welcome party in April to meet the other members of your cohort and look at your goals.

3 – 9 June 2024
Creative Community House (In-Person)
Live and learn alongside your cohort at an incubator-like environment in Yorkshire! Co-created by UK Creative Community Fellows alumni, the Creative Community House is designed to support and advance Fellows’ leadership skills while boosting their ability to lead change.

May 2024 – October 2024
Peer Exchange Groups (Online)
Form small, intentionally curated groups of several other Fellows that meet monthly with skilled coach facilitators for five sessions. You’ll have the opportunity to set and achieve meaningful goals for yourself and your organisation, navigate challenges authentically, build deep connections, and learn from your peers.

11 – 12 September 2024
Mini-Retreat (In-Person)
Deepen your connections with your cohort during an in-person mini-retreat at Derby Museums, where you’ll engage in group activities and continue to build off your work.

12 December 2024
Closing Event (Online)
Celebrate how far you’ve progressed your project and look towards the future.

94 % of Fellows said they gained new skills relevant to their work

90% of Fellows shared learnings from the programme with their collaborators and organisations

Thanks to the generous support of Arts Council England, all programme fees (£10,000) are completely underwritten.

Fellows are responsible for their transportation to and from the in-person Creative Community House in June 2024.

UK Creative Community Fellows is about action and we recognise that this work happens in stages. The most competitive applicants will be those who already have a good start and are working alongside local partners in their community.

No more UK Creative Community Fellows information sessions are scheduled this year, but we invite you to learn more about the programme by watching a recording of a past session.

Watch our recorded information session

UK Creative Community Fellows is a partnership between Derby Museums; The Bowes Museum; and NAS, a United States-based organisation that builds and supports diverse communities of cultural leaders.

Have a question about UK Creative Community Fellows? We’ve created a FAQ based on our conversations with those interested in the program. Check it out here:

UK Creative Community Fellows Frequently Asked Questions

Is your question not addressed here? Reach out here and we’ll do our best to answer it!

Applications to join UK Creative Community Fellows are now closed. Thank you to all who applied!