2026
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Protected: Honestly, creatives need to stop treating burnout like a personal failing
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Art Submission Tips: How To Make Your Work Stand Out
How do you make your art stand out when making a submission to open calls and art competitions? We asked five industry professionals with direct experience running and judging art competitions — here’s what they had to say.
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The Hodge review is a huge opportunity for the Arts Sector
The Hodge Review and the government’s response signal real reform for arts funding. The sector has a chance to shape what comes next, and it has more to offer than it might realise.
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How to Create a Creative Environment That Inspires You
Creativity cannot function in a void; it needs an effective environment to flourish. Whether it’s our bedroom, office or studio, the spaces that we spend time in impact our productivity, thinking and work ethic. We’ve compiled some of our top-tips to help you both maximise and appreciate your surroundings.
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Judgify vs Zealous: Choosing Between Budget-Friendly and Visual-First Awards Platforms
Judgify offers accessible per-event pricing for simple awards. Zealous provides unlimited programmes with visual-first judging.
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Putting Sussex-based Artists and Audiences First with Kellie Miller
Meet Kellie Miller, the artist-turned-gallerist behind Brighton’s Kellie Miller Arts, who knew she could only represent so many artists – so she launched an open call exhibition and threw the doors open to 59 instead.
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Version 303
Upgrading the submission process to allow for a more streamlined experience for candidates Click here for a full demo
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How to Write a Compelling Artist Statement That Gets You Noticed
Having a clear and compelling artist statement is essential for grant applications, exhibitions, open calls and residency submissions. To ensure you communicate what matters, we’ve compiled a quick and easy guide to help you tackle the daunting task of putting words to your practice.
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The Truth about Application Fees in the Arts
Application fees in the arts create real barriers, but what’s the fix? A response to Hyperallergic’s critique, with practical solutions for organisations and artists.
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The Global Climate Design Awards
Zealous supports clarity for entrants, judges, and admins alike. When systems are clear, people can focus on creativity rather than logistics. That reliability has allowed the work to grow without becoming unsustainable. Judy HolmFounder and Director (The Global Climate Design Awards)
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Our Judges find the Zealous ‘judges dashboard’ very easy and simple to use and it saves them much time and effort within the Interplay Competition judging process. Alec Robertson,Member Board of Trustees, Design Education Trust
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Essential Tools for Modern Creatives: A Complete Guide to Creative Software
The creative landscape has transformed dramatically over the past decade. What once required expensive studio setups, specialised training, and professional-grade equipment now fits in your laptop bag, or even your pocket
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William Morris Art Futures Bursary: £10,000 Funding for Young Artists in Hackney and Waltham Forest
Apply for The William Morris Art Futures Bursary – £10,000 funding for artists aged 16-25 in Hackney and Waltham Forest facing barriers to arts education. Recipients announced Summer 2026. Deadline: 11th May 2026.
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Design entry forms that keep judges coming back
Discover how to design award entry forms that judges actually want to complete. Reduce dropout rates, improve scoring consistency, and build long-term panel retention.
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How Long Will Judging Take?
Most awards programmes underestimate judging time by 2-3x. Calculate how many judges you need and when results will realistically be ready.
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A step by step awards lifecycle planning guide
Master your awards lifecycle from Phase 1 planning through post-season review. Real timelines, dependency maps, and quality benchmarks for sustainable programme growth.
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Is analogue media in 2026 really that radical?
We asked 6 different analogue leaders in the creative industry – zine-makers, facilitators, and artists – about their thoughts on the resurgence of analogue media.
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Expression of Interest for Bexley Aligned Creatives
Rolling deadline for Bexley-connected creatives to register interest with Do It Projects. Express interest for commissions, residencies, workshops, exhibitions, and collaborative opportunities across London Borough of Bexley.
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FVU:LAB – A Research and Development Residency for Artists
Rolling deadline for FVU:LAB supporting four emerging moving image artists with £500 bursary, five days access to cutting-edge NTU facilities, mentoring, and expenses for experimentation with new technologies.
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Open Call: Put The Cat Among The Pigeons
The Gallery Holt presents Put The Cat Among The Pigeons, mixed media exhibition celebrating cats and birds (30 May-7 July 2026). Deadline: 27th April 2026.
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Mark Tanner Sculpture Award 2026-27
Apply by 22nd March 2026 for Mark Tanner Sculpture Award. £10,000 plus funded solo exhibition at Standpoint Gallery for UK emerging sculptors. National touring programme included. Interviews 29th April 2026.
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Strategic Awards Improvement through Data
Transform awards data into year-over-year programme improvements. Learn to test systematically, refine criteria, track trends & make evidence-based decisions.
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Predictions for creative opportunities in 2026
Discover the top creative sector trends shaping 2026, from micro-communities and non-negotiable transparency, to artist-led prizes and embracing authenticity.
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Judy Holm launches NextGen Climate Creatives Award to open doors for emerging talent
Judy Holm talks to Zealous about launching the NextGen Climate Creatives Award, and how there’s room for many different voices and approaches to vision better futures.
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TikTok’s Impact on Creativity: Why the Platform Changed Everything For Better
When TikTok launched internationally in 2018, critics dismissed it as a frivolous app for teenagers dancing to pop songs. Seven years later, it has fundamentally reshaped how we think about creativity itself.
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Bring on 2026
Last April, I told you we were going back to our roots. We meant it. Since then, we’ve been quietly building the most significant updates in Zealous’s history. Here’s what 2026 looks like.
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Abeceda Mentorship Programme for Musicians and Producers
Rolling applications open year-round for Abeceda Mentorship Programme. Free to apply, €100/month participation fee. Open to emerging and established practitioners at any development stage.
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Botanicals Art Competition for Floral and Botanical Art
Apply by 8th April 2026 for Artist Space Gallery’s Botanicals Art Competition. Online international competition for floral and botanical art. All mediums welcome. $20 fee. Award winners in painting, photography, sculpture categories.
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D Contemporary Award 2026: Soft Power
Apply by 5th April 2026 for D Contemporary Award exploring the theme of ‘Soft Power’. Open to emerging, and early mid-career artists. Deadline: 5th April 2026.
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