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UK Creative Community Fellows
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.
| You are | You have | You want | You’ll gain |
| a creative change maker in your community. You’re an artist, community organiser, administrator or entrepreneur using arts and culture to drive equitable social or physical transformations in your world. | 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. | to join a community of practice and contribute your skills to learning and sharing with each other, all while gaining an understanding of strategy and leadership from an international teaching and facilitating team. | an understanding of strategy and leadership from a teaching and facilitating team of artists, academics, and creative leaders from across the globe. |
Complete a written application by 11:59 p.m., 3 March 2025 and meet the eligibility requirements below:
- You are an an emerging or experienced artist, community organizer, administrator or entrepreneur living in the UK and leading a project that uses arts-based approaches to create positive change in your community
- Your work involves community partners – other organisations or key individuals
- Your project is in motion or has been tested and is ready to scale
- You’re curious, open and collaborative
- You want to join a community of practice that will hold you accountable
- You’re ready to contribute your skills and take the time to apply what you learn
The written application provides space to share your project, the challenge it addresses, its goals, how you and your community are involved and more. You will also introduce yourself and what you hope to gain from the programme. Applications also have space to submit an optional short, informal video about yourself and your project.
UK Creative Community Fellows’ curriculum is 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
21 May 2025
Welcome Party (Online)
Your journey begins with a virtual welcome party in May to meet the other members of your cohort and look at your goals.
6 – 16 July 2025
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.
June – November 2025
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.
20 – 21 October 2025
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.
10 December 2025
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
Learn more about this exciting fellowship opportunity in an information session on Tuesday, 11 February at 3:00 pm GMT. We’ll walk through your programme journey, speak with an alum, go over the application process, and hold time for a Q&A. This webinar is about one hour in length and requires no preparation.
Sign Up for Our Information Session
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 July 2025.
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.
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!
