Getting rejected is disappointing, but what’s worse is not knowing why. Whether you’ve submitted a job application, project proposal, grant application, or creative work, receiving a “no” without explanation leaves you wondering how to improve next time.
Your latest art competition attracted 50,000 social media impressions, generated buzz across creative networks, and had a prize worth celebrating. So why did you only receive 127 submissions?
In the world of portrait photography, few artists challenge conventional perspectives as powerfully as Sadman Sakib. This Bangladeshi photographer has carved out a distinctive niche in the art world through his compelling portraits of amputees – work that transcends traditional boundaries between documentary photography and fine art.
Creative degrees don’t always prepare graduates for the realities of building creative careers. We spoke directly with art school graduates about what they wish they had known before starting their degree – from the value of work experience to the challenges of turning creativity into a career.
At Zealous, we’re committed to making sure that courage is met with a fair, thoughtful, and transparent evaluation process.
In a world where smartphones are replaced every two years and laptops become obsolete overnight, Surridge’s work excavates the hidden stories buried within our discarded devices. Her innovative approach doesn’t just highlight the problem—it reimagines solutions, turning toxic tech waste into transformative art that inspires action.
In a world where burnout has become an epidemic, artist Hana Walker-Brown dared to turn her breaking point into breakthrough art. Her powerful words ‘In Pieces’ won the Zealous Amplify public vote, resonating with countless viewers who saw their own struggles reflected in her vision.
With Zealous Amplify: Future coming to a close, we are so excited to tell you all about our winners!
It is time to meet all of our Zealous Amplify: Future judges!
At Zealous, we love using our initiatives to support charities that echo the same messages that we do.
Planning an open call is exciting and a great chance to discover new talent. Whether it’s an award, residency, or commission, there are lots of things to consider.
Whether you’re hosting your first open call or looking to refine your process, our guest contributors share expert insights to help you succeed.
We are coming in to our third year of Zealous Amplify! We are so excited to celebrate even more artworks from our Zealous community.
At Zealous, we get to meet lots of amazing people and connect with incredible organisations. One of those is Creative Future.
Hosting an open call is truly an enriching experience. It allows for you to discover new talent and support them, create connections, and foster creativity. However, once the opportunity is over, the real challenge—and the true potential for impact—emerges. This can allow for the nourishment on meaningful relationships and the growth of your community.
With Zealous Elevate coming to a close, we are so excited to tell you all about our winner!
As uncomfortable as it can be, sending out commiserations emails are part and parcel of running an opportunity. Luckily there are ways of turning disappointment into opportunity
Pinkie Maclure is a Scottish stained glass artist and musician, with a focus on working with stained glass.
Zealous gave me that opportunity
We try our best to ensure opportunities listed through us are legitimate and ethical. We show all previous opportunities held by the organisations and make sure they are transparent with any fees and what you can get in return. However, it is important to always check an opportunity you are applying for, whether on Zealous or…
Katie O’Rourke is a freelance graphic designer and illustrator based in Nantes, France, where she moved from Manchester last year. She collaborates with people and brands who make it their mission to do some good in the world. Katie bring ideas to life with care, colour and playfulness. Outside of her client work she loves…
An overwhelmingly positive experience
These innovative photography creators are redefining visual storytelling through bold portraits and captivating landscapes. Learn about the themes they explore and their standout works to redefine how we see the world through their lens.
Real insights from seasoned creative freelancers on navigating freelance life, setting your prices, and finding your niche— reminding you that you’re not alone in figuring it all out.
Zillah Bowes is a Wales-based filmmaker and multi-disciplinary artist who works mainly across film, photography and poetry, as well as installation and sculpture. Her work is often rooted in nature and frequently explores our relationship with the natural environment.
Easy to apply to opportunities
With graduation season looming, we are so excited to celebrate some of the newest graduates from BA art courses from across the UK.
Creating art and having a job is quite literally a balancing act. From learning how to find time to create, to continuing to find your passion, we have put together a list of some of our top tips to find your way.
Maggie Williams is a British-Chinese visual artist based in the Lewisham Arthouse in South East London. Her practice explores themes surrounding cultural identity by embroidering materials linked to both cultures such as British tea bags and Chinese rice sacks/bags.
As a company, we are all about building a more creative world together, but with funding cuts and the cost of living crisis, we know that this has become more difficult. We understand that not all organisations get the funding they need to use platforms like Zealous to easily streamline their submissions process. Because of…
Winner of the Zealous Amplify: Environment public vote Luminara Florescu is a British born artist, curator, artist mentor and mother based in rural Somerset. Her winning piece, ‘Social Gardening (The Mind at Rest)’, is an immersive film installation which presents a filmic exploration that delves into the profound act of resting in nature.
Mithail Afrige Chowdhury is a documentary and street photographer based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Are you an artist wondering how to use social media effectively? Take the advice of these founders, consultants, art critics and artists to nail your social media presence.
Zealous X gave me confidence
You’ve spent hours upon hours applying for Open Calls and careers in the Creative Sector, only to receive a string of dreaded rejection emails back.
Zealous Amplify: Environment 2nd place winner Sam Williams is an antidisciplinary, research based creative based in London. His work spans across working across moving-image, collage, choreography and text.
Navigating the world of social media and creating an online presence can be tricky. Bethan sits down with marketing coordinator and social media whizz Carmela to get the intel on how to run a social media page successfully and get all her top tips for creatives.
Zillah Bowes is a multi-disciplinary artist with a practice in film, photography poetry, installation and sculpture, often combining disciplines. With a spiritual enquiry around climate change and biodiversity, her work frequently explores the relationship between the individual and the natural environment.
On this International Women’s Day, delve into the transformative works of groundbreaking women artists who challenge norms and inspire change across artistic mediums.
With Zealous Amplify: Environment coming to a close, we are so excited to tell you all about our winners!
Creating work which is so lifelike is incredibly impressive. We think it is only fair to celebrate artists working in this genre.
As Zealous Amplify: Environment is reaching its final results, we are excited to share with you our 20 shortlisted artists.
In this interview, Guy explores the true essence of creativity, challenging conventional notions and emphasizing its universal applicability. From tackling digital chaos to embracing discomfort for richer solutions, Guy’s insights guide you on a transformative journey to unleash your creativity in everyday life.
Ephemeral art spans many mediums, but follows the same principles. It is work which only occurs once and often cannot be embodied in a single lasting object. These artists create brilliant examples of this.
Zealous is full of incredible opportunities. However, before applying to an opportunity, it is important to think of whether what you are applying to is right for you.
Video art is something which can find itself embedded in many different practices, and these creatives are perfect examples of that.
Becoming a creative is a constant learning curve, and there are always things we wish we knew.
To celebrate the launch of Zealous Amplify: Environment, we have put together a list of 10 fantastic environmental artists to hopefully give you some inspiration for your submission.
Welcome to Zealous Amplify: Environment!
With the idea that art should have its own reality and not be an imitation, the minimalist art movement allows the viewer to see what they see.
Making your portfolio stand out is something important for all creatives. We asked some of the organisations who are part of our community to give us some of their top tips.
Although traditionally seen as a paper-based medium, collage is a technique which is constantly evolving. Whether working in a more conventional way, or expanding to the digital and three-dimensional realms, these 10 creatives are ones you should definitely be watching.
To continue our celebration of the brilliant LGBTQIA+ artists and creatives who explore gender identity themes both on and off Zealous, we have put together a list of 10 creatives that you should know.
Working class creatives have been constantly alienated from the arts scene.
Zealous Amplify: Mental Health and Wellbeing Public Vote winner Lucy Cross is a self-professed endometriosis warrior, which she has had since she was 11 years old. As a result, it has severely impacted her mental health and wellbeing. Most importantly, her experience is not a rare one.
Looking back at Zealous Amplify: Mental Health and Wellbeing, community manager Bethan and marketing coordinator Carmela talk about all things marketing.
Zealous Amplify: Mental Health and Wellbeing 3rd place winner Charmaine Chanakira is a Zimbabwean-born, London-raised Afro Expressionist. As a self-taught artist, her collections are inspired by her experience as a Zimbabwean woman living in the UK.
As a creative, having an artist biography is something which becomes increasingly important. Viewers of your work want to know more about you and your journey.
Zealous Amplify: Mental Health and Wellbeing 2nd place winner Ziyoo Hwang is an illustrator and animator. Using moving images to share their stories, mental health and wellbeing has become an important part of their practice.
Zealous Amplify: Mental Health and Wellbeing 2nd place winner Jennifer Louise Martin is a visual multi-disciplinary artist from London.
Zealous Amplify: Mental Health and Wellbeing 1st Place Winner Adri São Bento is a Portuguese deaf interdisciplinary artist working with a variety of media including video, performance and sculpture.
With the closing of the first iteration of Zealous Amplify, which touched upon Mental Health and Wellbeing, we are so happy to announce the winners!
You’re a creative, you have a vision for a great piece of art, but you can’t do it alone. You need funding for equipment and space.
Try our submission manager now. No onboarding or credit card required.