Firstsite
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Hiring the Right Awards Coordinator
Finding the right Awards Coordinator can make or break your programme – the wrong hire leads to stressed staff, disappointed applicants, and damaged relationships. This complete guide includes job description templates, interview questions, and cost analysis to help you make the smartest hiring decision for your awards programme.
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Turning Industry Connections Into Your Most Powerful Awards Marketing Channel
You’ve spent months crafting the perfect awards marketing campaign, yet entries aren’t flooding in. The problem isn’t your messaging – it’s that professionals no longer trust marketing channels for career decisions. Here’s how successful awards programs activate trusted industry voices who already have their ideal entrants’ attention
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What does the future look like according to 500 creatives?
Discover how 500+ creatives envision the future through sustainable practices, collaboration with technology, amplifying marginalized voices, and transforming education.
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Why Public Voting Can Transform Your Awards
“I wanted this to be more of the people and not just from a small group of individuals,” explains one awards organizer who made the switch. The results speak for themselves: increased reach, enhanced credibility, and stories that “go a teeny bit viral” because they’re relatable to broader audiences.
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Your Programme Failed, Now What? (Free Template)
So, your open call didn’t go as planned. Maybe entries were lower than expected, the timeline slipped, or feedback from artists, judges, or partners wasn’t as positive as you’d hoped. But this isn’t the end of your programme. It could be the turning point where things become clearer, stronger, and more aligned with your mission.
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A Human-Centered Approach to Audience Data
Traditional audience surveys exclude busy families, young people, and disabled visitors. Here’s how cultural venues can capture every voice.
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Everything that could go wrong with your Award (and how to stop it)
Whether it’s marketing challenges, technical issues, or unresponsive judges, awards rarely go exactly as planned. This article covers solutions to the most pressing problems.
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How to price your Award using AI: Prompts for every program
Setting the right price for award submissions is a delicate balancing act. Charge too much, you limit applicants; charge too little, you risk overwhelming costs. Discover powerful AI prompts that create pricing strategies perfectly tailored to your awards program.
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Turning Disruption into Growth: A Zealous Roadmap for 2025
Each year I reflect on progress. This year I’m looking differently – at the creative industries today, our shared challenges & Zealous’s role in all of this.
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The Complete Guide to Managing Awards & Competitions
Whether you’re running competitions, grants, or awards, this guide covers the complete award management lifecycle from planning to execution.
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Running Open Calls: Essential Submissions Management Tips
Whether you’re hosting your first open call or looking to refine your process, our guest contributors share expert insights to help you succeed.
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The right venue for your open exhibition in London
Looking for the ideal East London venue to host your awards or exhibition celebration? Discover standout spaces, handpicked by Zealous, that promise to elevate your event and delight your guests.
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How to invite creativity back into your life
When did you last feel truly creative? 75% of us feel we’re not reaching our creative potential. This post explores how to reignite that spark in your life and work.
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Predictions for creative opportunities in 2025
Discover the top creative sector trends and predictions for 2025, from AI innovation to community-driven opportunities.
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Championing the Underrepresented: Matt Freidson
At Zealous, we get to meet lots of amazing people and connect with incredible organisations. One of those is Creative Future.
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Choosing the right awards management platform for staff recognition awards
Managing Employee Recogition Awards can be overwhelming without the right tools. This article introduces 7 tools that simplify submissions, judging, and voting to help you focus on creating meaningful events.
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These 5 metrics will help you grow your Awards
Running a successful competition means knowing what’s working – and what isn’t. Learn the 5 key metrics that will help you understand your candidates’ journey and grow your program effectively.
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Reframing Open Calls: How To Create Non-Competitive Spaces
In this article, we’ll explore how shifting perspectives on creative competitions could make them friendlier, fairer, and more inclusive spaces.
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Real engagement begins when your open call ends
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.
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How to craft the right awards commiseration email
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
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“As a self-taught, older artist working in an unusual medium, it’s extremely difficult for me to find opportunities to show my work and to network with artists and galleries. Zealous gave me that opportunity.” – Pinkie Maclure
Pinkie Maclure is a Scottish stained glass artist and musician, with a focus on working with stained glass.
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How to Run a Good Program with Reduced Resources
This article shares practical strategies for organisations to run impactful creative opportunities like open calls and competitions with limited resources.
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How To Check If An Opportunity Is Legitimate
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…
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The Questionnaire Conundrum: Unraveling the Complexities of Audience Data
Capturing data is vital. It shapes our programming, informs our funders, and, ultimately, determines our impact. Yet, with increasingly stretched resources, it is a time-consuming and expensive endeavour for organisations. In this article, we’ll unpack the purpose behind audience questionnaires, explore their limitations & explore alternative solutions.
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“Applying for awards often seems like a shot in the dark, but my experience with Zealous still reminds me that it’s worth putting myself out there to see what comes of it.” – Katie O’Rourke
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…
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Tools to Manage Submissions – From Forms to Awards Management Platforms
Looking for a robust tool to manage growing submissions? We compare 5 solutions – from basic forms to full awards management platforms that scale with you.
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10 Photography Artists You Need to Follow
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.
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“I wish I knew that!” – Freelancers speak out
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.
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“Winning Amplify has given me confidence” – Zillah Bowes Interview
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.
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Get the pricing right for your awards/competitions
How to price your awards and competitions is a fine art. Discover best practice when setting your entry price, alternative ways of making money and the impact the wrong price can have on your awards.
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New BA Graduates To Watch Out For
With graduation season looming, we are so excited to celebrate some of the newest graduates from BA art courses from across the UK.
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How To Feel Fulfilled Balancing Creative Passions And A Day Job
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.
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“(Zealous) helped give me confidence in what I was doing” – Maggie Williams
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.
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Introducing Zealous Elevate
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…
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How To Make Creative Networking Work For You
‘Networking’ is a word that can make introverted creatives feel uneasy. But in the creative industries, connecting with others is really important for building a successful career. Even if you prefer spending time alone, networking can lead to exciting collaborations, fun experiences, and helpful connections that push your creative journey ahead.
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Social Gardening (The Mind at Rest)
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.
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The Earth is our Home
Mithail Afrige Chowdhury is a documentary and street photographer based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
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I Wish I Knew That: Social Media
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.
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How To Thrive from Rejection In The Creative Industry
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.
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Deep in The Eye and The Belly
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.
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All Things Social Media with Carmela Vienna
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.
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ALLOWED
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.
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Find The Best Creative Opportunities
Discover the best online platforms for uncovering creative opportunities, from open call listing sites to creative job boards. Explore our recommendations to jumpstart your creative career journey.
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Women Artists You Should Know
On this International Women’s Day, delve into the transformative works of groundbreaking women artists who challenge norms and inspire change across artistic mediums.
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The Best Sculpture made by Kinetic Artists
Discover the avant-garde world of kinetic art through our curated list of the best emerging kinetic artists making innovative kinetic sculpture and installations.
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I Wish I Knew That: Selling My Work
Are you an artist wondering how to sell your work? Take the advice of these gallerists, artists and creative coaches to make successful sales.
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Founder Update 2024
2023 was another crazy year. Our commitment to the creative industries is unwavering. Discover how we continue to support you in 2024 with a price lock, more features, a commitment to ethical AI and clearer blogging, insights & communications.
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Hyperrealism Artists You Should Know
Creating work which is so lifelike is incredibly impressive. We think it is only fair to celebrate artists working in this genre.
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Key sites to list your design awards on
Posting your design competition on a listing site might be a good way of sharing your contest to more people. We share our top directories to post your design competition on to get more entries.
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Unlocking your creativity with the author of “Everyone is Creative”
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.
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Ephemeral Artists You Should Know
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.
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Is An Opportunity Right For You?
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.
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Video Artists You Should Know
Video art is something which can find itself embedded in many different practices, and these creatives are perfect examples of that.
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How To Run an Online Photo Contest (& Market It Like a Pro)
Learn the secrets to running an online photo contest with our expert guide to boosting entries and growing your campaign.
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I Wish I Knew That: Starting Out
Becoming a creative is a constant learning curve, and there are always things we wish we knew.
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Top listing sites for your Photography Competition
We’re here to help you get the word out for your photography competitions! Here’s a list of photography competition directories to start the process.
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Environmental Artists You Should Know
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.
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Minimalist Artists You Should Know
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.
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Making A.I. work for the creative industries
A deep exploration into the opportunities and threats A.I. poses for the creative industries, written by someone whose straddled both worlds.
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Collage Artists You Should Know
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.
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Increase submissions to your awards through trust
If you are launching an award, it will be essential for you to build trust with anyone who might consider submitting to you. The longer your process and the bigger the submission fee, the more vital it will be to convince candidates you are legitimate.
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Should you take award entry payments first or last?
Should you take payments upfront when candidates submit your award? The following article breaks down best practices when taking entry fees.
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LGBTQIA+ Artists and Artworks You Should Know
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.
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Celebrating Pride Month: 10 LGBTQIA+ Resources To Inspire Your Creativity
Pride Month is an exciting time to highlight LGBTQIA+ creativity, celebrate spaces of self-expression and proudly continue to fight for equality.
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Artistic Resources for Working Class Creatives
Working class creatives have been constantly alienated from the arts scene.
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Unborn
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.
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Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Organising Awards
Behind the glitz and glamour of an awards ceremony lies a meticulous planning process which, if not executed with precision, can lead to disappointment for all involved.
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Amplify Insights: Marketing Your Opportunity
Looking back at Zealous Amplify: Mental Health and Wellbeing, community manager Bethan and marketing coordinator Carmela talk about all things marketing.
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The Black Experience
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.
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Writing An Artist Biography
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.
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The Fog
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.
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Creative Resources for Women’s Empowerment
Creative women have been breaking barriers for centuries.
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Hear My Cry
Zealous Amplify: Mental Health and Wellbeing 2nd place winner Jennifer Louise Martin is a visual multi-disciplinary artist from London.
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Founder Update 2023
Our mission to reduce the barriers to entry for creating opportunities for the creative sector has never felt so important. In 2023 we promise to do our part in building the creative world we wish to see tomorrow.
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Just Do It
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.
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Grants For The Arts: A Funding Toolkit
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.
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Marketing your Award Effectively (even on shoestring budgets)
Without good marketing, no one will submit to your award/competition. Here are a few tips to increase exposure to your programme
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5 Creativity and Wellbeing tips
Let’s face it, we could all do better at taking care of ourselves. The pursuit of creativity is a journey which can be as thrilling as it is perilous…
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War Notes
Zealous Stories: Photography 2022 winner Mouneb Taim is a photojournalist who has covered life under siege in Douma, Eastern Ghouta, Idlib and Aleppo.
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HOMEBOUND
Zealous Stories: Short Film 2022 winner Lucy Werrett is an award-winning director and photographer working across Bristol and London.
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Choosing the best tools for managing submissions
Taking submissions can be a breeze or a nightmare; the deciding factor is your tools. Here are our top tips in picking the right ones for your needs.
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The Cut of Your Gib
Zealous Stories: Painting 2022 winner Amy Dury is an artist based in Hove, specialising in oil painting.
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Supporting Growth Within Creative Communities
Now is such an important time to support one another. We’ve put together a list of organisations, individuals and collectives that pay an extraordinary amount of attention to fostering growth, equality and strength within the creative community.
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Maximising Engagement using Competitions
How to maximise engagement for your open call, create exposure for your brand, show support for your community & begin a meaningful dialogue.
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Imperfection I
Zealous Stories: Craft Winner, Carmen M. Castañeda is an artistic researcher and practitioner specialising in hand-embroidery techniques.
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Writing the perfect guidelines for your competition
Writing good guidelines can make or break your competition. This article covers best practices to guarantee candidates apply with the right content for your needs.
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Tippler and The Crow
Mason Matak is an illustrator based in Iran. His works have appeared on the pages of children’s books, beside Old Iranian folktales, as tattoos on people’s skin, and also exist online as NFTs.
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Burial Rites
Zealous Stories: Short Story winner, Yvette Naden, is an obsessive writer of poetry and prose.
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How to approach judges for competitions
Getting partners involved and securing high-level individuals to help you select winners is no easy task. But having someone recognisable on your panel is a big perk for candidates who want their work seen. Here are our top tips to appeal to judges you would like involved in your programme.
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