{"id":64495,"date":"2025-12-16T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/?p=64495"},"modified":"2025-12-29T06:05:50","modified_gmt":"2025-12-29T06:05:50","slug":"zealous-2025-wrapped-a-year-of-creative-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/news\/zealous-2025-wrapped-a-year-of-creative-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Zealous 2025 Wrapped: A Year of Creative Community"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group toc has-base-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6ebb2501 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<p><strong>This article covers:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#readers\" title=\"\">11,247 of you read our articles<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#contributors\" title=\"\">24 &#8216;I Wish I Knew That&#8217; contributors<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#amplify-submissions\" title=\"\">507 submissions for Zealous Amplify Future<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#voice-notes\" title=\"\">19 voice notes from our community<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#arts-emergency\" title=\"\">\u00a3282.37 donated to Arts Emergency<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#masterclass\" title=\"\">60 longlisted artists learning with Ceri Hand<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#organisations\" title=\"\">231 organisations posted opportunities<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#first-time\" title=\"\">129 organisations posted for the first time<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#entries\" title=\"\">An entry every few minutes<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#deployments\" title=\"\">8 deployments to improve our services<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#team\" title=\"\">14 humans behind the scenes<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>As 2025 draws to a close, we wanted to pause and reflect on everything we&#8217;ve built together this year. Every article read, every submission entered, every voice note shared, every connection made. You showed up for creativity, and we were honoured to be part of that journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This isn&#8217;t just a collection of numbers (though we do love a good stat). It&#8217;s a snapshot of a creative community in motion. Learning, creating, supporting each other, and saying yes to opportunities even when it felt scary. So here&#8217;s what 2025 looked like for all of us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"readers\"><strong>11,247 of you read our <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/blog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">articles<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>That&#8217;s 11,247 of you who carved out time in your busy lives to engage with our content, and honestly, we&#8217;re still a bit overwhelmed by that. Thank you for trusting us with your time &#8211; we know how precious it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some articles really resonated with the Zealous community this year. <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/news\/introducing-zealous-amplify-future\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Introducing Zealous Amplify Future<\/a> was a big moment, as we launched an Open Call early in February that prompted creatives to share their vision of the future. The winner of the Amplify Future public vote, <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/spotlights\/from-burnout-to-hope-hana-walker-browns-in-pieces\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Hana Walker-Brown&#8217;s <em>In Pieces<\/em><\/a>, opened up honest dialogue about burnout and hope \u2013 a conversation many of us needed to hear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our roundup of <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/spotlights\/10-ephemeral-artists-you-should-know\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">10 ephemeral artists you should know<\/a> kept circling online all year long, which explores looking at the theme of impermanence in beautiful ways. <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/insights\/10-creatives-share-the-truth-about-their-creative-degree\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">10 creatives sharing the truth about their creative degree<\/a> reminded us that everyone&#8217;s creative career looks different (and that&#8217;s perfectly okay). And our exploration of <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/spotlights\/kinetic-artists\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">kinetic artists<\/a> celebrated those bringing movement into their practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For organisations, there was no shortage of interest in our <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/insights\/the-ultimate-guide-to-managing-submissions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Complete Guide to Managing Awards and Competitions<\/a>, with a decade of insights from planning and running your open call, to beyond. <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/insights\/most-common-award-issues\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Everything that could go wrong with your open call (and how to stop it)<\/a> tackled common problems with solutions across communication, admin, judging and more, whilst lessons in <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/insights\/i-wish-i-knew-that-running-an-open-call\/\" title=\"\">Running Open Calls: Essential Submissions Management Tips<\/a> from organisations, artists and curators in industry who have walked the walk resonated with you.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-7185aa6c wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:8px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<p class=\"has-body-font-family has-medium-font-size\"><span class=\"wp-rich-text-font-awesome-icon wp-font-awesome-icon\"><\/span><strong>Written with you in mind<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each of these pieces was written with you in mind \u2013 the artist navigating a changing landscape, the creative questioning their next move, the maker looking for community and inspiration.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"contributors\"><strong>24 <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/tag\/i-wish-i-knew-that\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">&#8216;I Wish I Knew That&#8217;<\/a> contributors<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This year, we asked 24 generous humans from across the creative industries to share the wisdom they wish they&#8217;d had earlier in their journeys. Gallery directors, curators, artists, judges, educators \u2013 people who&#8217;ve been where you are and want to make the path a little clearer for those coming after them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We asked <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/insights\/how-do-art-prize-judges-make-decisions-4-powerful-lessons\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">how art prize judges actually make decisions<\/a> (from 4 powerhouses in the creative industry), whilst creatives shared their powerful lessons on <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/insights\/how-these-creatives-turn-rejection-into-growth\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">turning rejection into growth<\/a> (because we&#8217;ve all been there), and opened up about <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/insights\/10-creatives-share-the-truth-about-their-creative-degree\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">the truth of creative degrees<\/a> \u2013 from networking, to gratitude and everything in-between.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These contributors don&#8217;t sugarcoat the realities of creative work, nor pretend the path is straightforward. What makes this series special isn&#8217;t just the advice itself, but the vulnerability and honesty behind it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1350\" height=\"1688\" data-id=\"64678\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-64678 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1350px) 100vw, 1350px\" data-src=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/14-1.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/14-1.jpg 1350w, https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/14-1-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/14-1-1228x1536.jpg 1228w\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1350\" height=\"1688\" data-id=\"64677\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-64677 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1350px) 100vw, 1350px\" data-src=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/18-1.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/18-1.jpg 1350w, https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/18-1-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/18-1-1228x1536.jpg 1228w\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1350\" height=\"1688\" data-id=\"64679\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-64679 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1350px) 100vw, 1350px\" data-src=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/33.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/33.jpg 1350w, https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/33-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/33-1228x1536.jpg 1228w\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1350\" height=\"1688\" data-id=\"64680\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-64680 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1350px) 100vw, 1350px\" data-src=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/37.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/37.jpg 1350w, https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/37-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/37-1228x1536.jpg 1228w\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1350\" height=\"1688\" data-id=\"64681\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-64681 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1350px) 100vw, 1350px\" data-src=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/74.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/74.jpg 1350w, https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/74-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/74-1228x1536.jpg 1228w\"><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"amplify-submissions\"><strong>507 submissions for <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/zealous\/opportunity\/Zealous-Amplify-Future\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Zealous Amplify Future<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When we launched Amplify Future, we asked creatives one question: what does the future look like to you? And 507 of you responded with hope, imagination, concern, and creativity. The theme invited artists, designers, and makers to envision tomorrow through their unique lens, and the diversity of perspectives was extraordinary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/spotlights\/meet-our-zealous-amplify-future-winners\/\" title=\"\">winners<\/a> created work that challenged, inspired, and moved us. The <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/news\/zealous-amplify-future-meet-our-judges\/\" title=\"\">judging panel<\/a> brought together industry leaders who understood the importance of supporting emerging voices. And when we analysed <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/spotlights\/what-does-the-future-look-like-according-to-500-creatives\/\" title=\"\">what the future looks like according to 500 creatives<\/a>, patterns emerged \u2013 themes of sustainability, community, technology, and connection woven throughout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1810\" height=\"2560\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-55841 lazyload\" style=\"width:339px;height:auto\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1810px) 100vw, 1810px\" data-src=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/06\/print_6_jpg-scaled.jpeg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/06\/print_6_jpg-scaled.jpeg 1810w, https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/06\/print_6_jpg-768x1086.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/06\/print_6_jpg-1086x1536.jpeg 1086w, https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/06\/print_6_jpg-1448x2048.jpeg 1448w\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8216;Written with a finger on a steamed-up window&#8217; by Guy Morgan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"524\" height=\"713\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-55842 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/06\/Screenshot-2025-06-03-at-16.52.26-e1748966022180.png\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8216;Hope Never Dies&#8217; by Sadman Sakib<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-7185aa6c wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:8px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<p class=\"has-body-font-family has-medium-font-size\"><span class=\"wp-rich-text-font-awesome-icon wp-font-awesome-icon\"><\/span><strong>An Act of Hope<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every single submission represented courage. Putting your creative vision out there, especially when the future feels uncertain, is an act of hope. Thank you for sharing your futures with us.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-2-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-515c3f106323f79451d2306e7d591c2e has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-34d7f7af wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:8px;background:linear-gradient(143deg,rgba(127,219,202,0.61) 21%,rgba(255,107,107,0.45) 74%);margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-contrast-color has-base-2-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-a010d6200a7e32bad37e80b21d4e1c95 has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-32abe225 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:8px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center cta_text content_mid_cta has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-b167b480f0a97ca07872b7020eb348f6\">Want more articles like this?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Give this one a like<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-a763ec69 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wpulike wpulike-animated-heart  wpulike-is-pro\" ><div class=\"wp_ulike_general_class wp_ulike_is_restricted\"><button type=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Like Button\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-ulike-id=\"64495\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-ulike-nonce=\"476b05cfcf\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-ulike-type=\"post\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-ulike-template=\"wpulike-animated-heart\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-ulike-display-likers=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-ulike-likers-style=\"popover\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-ulike-append=\"&lt;svg class=&quot;wpulike-svg-heart wpulike-svg-heart-pop one&quot; viewBox=&quot;0 0 32 29.6&quot;&gt;&lt;path d=&quot;M23.6,0c-3.4,0-6.3,2.7-7.6,5.6C14.7,2.7,11.8,0,8.4,0C3.8,0,0,3.8,0,8.4c0,9.4,9.5,11.9,16,21.2c6.1-9.3,16-12.1,16-21.2C32,3.8,28.2,0,23.6,0z&quot;\/&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;&lt;svg class=&quot;wpulike-svg-heart wpulike-svg-heart-pop two&quot; viewBox=&quot;0 0 32 29.6&quot;&gt;&lt;path d=&quot;M23.6,0c-3.4,0-6.3,2.7-7.6,5.6C14.7,2.7,11.8,0,8.4,0C3.8,0,0,3.8,0,8.4c0,9.4,9.5,11.9,16,21.2c6.1-9.3,16-12.1,16-21.2C32,3.8,28.2,0,23.6,0z&quot;\/&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;&lt;svg class=&quot;wpulike-svg-heart wpulike-svg-heart-pop three&quot; viewBox=&quot;0 0 32 29.6&quot;&gt;&lt;path d=&quot;M23.6,0c-3.4,0-6.3,2.7-7.6,5.6C14.7,2.7,11.8,0,8.4,0C3.8,0,0,3.8,0,8.4c0,9.4,9.5,11.9,16,21.2c6.1-9.3,16-12.1,16-21.2C32,3.8,28.2,0,23.6,0z&quot;\/&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;&lt;svg class=&quot;wpulike-svg-heart wpulike-svg-heart-pop four&quot; viewBox=&quot;0 0 32 29.6&quot;&gt;&lt;path d=&quot;M23.6,0c-3.4,0-6.3,2.7-7.6,5.6C14.7,2.7,11.8,0,8.4,0C3.8,0,0,3.8,0,8.4c0,9.4,9.5,11.9,16,21.2c6.1-9.3,16-12.1,16-21.2C32,3.8,28.2,0,23.6,0z&quot;\/&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;&lt;svg class=&quot;wpulike-svg-heart wpulike-svg-heart-pop five&quot; viewBox=&quot;0 0 32 29.6&quot;&gt;&lt;path d=&quot;M23.6,0c-3.4,0-6.3,2.7-7.6,5.6C14.7,2.7,11.8,0,8.4,0C3.8,0,0,3.8,0,8.4c0,9.4,9.5,11.9,16,21.2c6.1-9.3,16-12.1,16-21.2C32,3.8,28.2,0,23.6,0z&quot;\/&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;&lt;svg class=&quot;wpulike-svg-heart wpulike-svg-heart-pop six&quot; viewBox=&quot;0 0 32 29.6&quot;&gt;&lt;path d=&quot;M23.6,0c-3.4,0-6.3,2.7-7.6,5.6C14.7,2.7,11.8,0,8.4,0C3.8,0,0,3.8,0,8.4c0,9.4,9.5,11.9,16,21.2c6.1-9.3,16-12.1,16-21.2C32,3.8,28.2,0,23.6,0z&quot;\/&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;&lt;svg class=&quot;wpulike-svg-heart wpulike-svg-heart-pop seven&quot; viewBox=&quot;0 0 32 29.6&quot;&gt;&lt;path d=&quot;M23.6,0c-3.4,0-6.3,2.7-7.6,5.6C14.7,2.7,11.8,0,8.4,0C3.8,0,0,3.8,0,8.4c0,9.4,9.5,11.9,16,21.2c6.1-9.3,16-12.1,16-21.2C32,3.8,28.2,0,23.6,0z&quot;\/&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;&lt;svg class=&quot;wpulike-svg-heart wpulike-svg-heart-pop eight&quot; viewBox=&quot;0 0 32 29.6&quot;&gt;&lt;path d=&quot;M23.6,0c-3.4,0-6.3,2.7-7.6,5.6C14.7,2.7,11.8,0,8.4,0C3.8,0,0,3.8,0,8.4c0,9.4,9.5,11.9,16,21.2c6.1-9.3,16-12.1,16-21.2C32,3.8,28.2,0,23.6,0z&quot;\/&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;&lt;svg class=&quot;wpulike-svg-heart wpulike-svg-heart-pop nine&quot; viewBox=&quot;0 0 32 29.6&quot;&gt;&lt;path d=&quot;M23.6,0c-3.4,0-6.3,2.7-7.6,5.6C14.7,2.7,11.8,0,8.4,0C3.8,0,0,3.8,0,8.4c0,9.4,9.5,11.9,16,21.2c6.1-9.3,16-12.1,16-21.2C32,3.8,28.2,0,23.6,0z&quot;\/&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"wp_ulike_btn wp_ulike_put_image wp_post_btn_64495\"><svg class=\"wpulike-svg-heart wpulike-svg-heart-icon\" viewBox=\"0 -28 512.00002 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path\n\t\t\t\t\t\td=\"m471.382812 44.578125c-26.503906-28.746094-62.871093-44.578125-102.410156-44.578125-29.554687 0-56.621094 9.34375-80.449218 27.769531-12.023438 9.300781-22.917969 20.679688-32.523438 33.960938-9.601562-13.277344-20.5-24.660157-32.527344-33.960938-23.824218-18.425781-50.890625-27.769531-80.445312-27.769531-39.539063 0-75.910156 15.832031-102.414063 44.578125-26.1875 28.410156-40.613281 67.222656-40.613281 109.292969 0 43.300781 16.136719 82.9375 50.78125 124.742187 30.992188 37.394531 75.535156 75.355469 127.117188 119.3125 17.613281 15.011719 37.578124 32.027344 58.308593 50.152344 5.476563 4.796875 12.503907 7.4375 19.792969 7.4375 7.285156 0 14.316406-2.640625 19.785156-7.429687 20.730469-18.128907 40.707032-35.152344 58.328125-50.171876 51.574219-43.949218 96.117188-81.90625 127.109375-119.304687 34.644532-41.800781 50.777344-81.4375 50.777344-124.742187 0-42.066407-14.425781-80.878907-40.617188-109.289063zm0 0\" \/><\/svg><\/button><span class=\"count-box wp_ulike_counter_up\" data-ulike-counter-value=\"+3\"><\/span>\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"voice-notes\"><strong>19 voice notes from our community<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Voice notes became our favourite way to hear from you this year. There&#8217;s something about hearing someone&#8217;s actual voice (the pauses, the enthusiasm, the thoughtfulness) that typed words can&#8217;t quite capture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nineteen of you sent us voice notes sharing your thoughts on the future. Some of these made it into our article on <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/spotlights\/what-does-the-future-look-like-according-to-500-creatives\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">what does the future look like according to 500 creatives<\/a>, but each one shaped our understanding of what matters to this community. You talked about the importance of accessibility, education, kindness, diversity of thought, space for play, and building a creative eco-system that includes everyone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;re keeping the voice note line open. Your voices matter to us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/06\/02_Fanny_Beckman.mp3\"><\/audio><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><audio src=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/06\/02_Fanny_Beckman.mp3\"><\/audio><audio src=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/06\/02_Fanny_Beckman.mp3\"><\/audio><audio src=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/06\/02_Fanny_Beckman.mp3\"><\/audio>Photographer Fanny Beckman talks about the importance of accessible education.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/06\/12_Cut_Out_Club.mp3\"><\/audio><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Iona from the Cut Out Club believes that a hopeful future is one where creativity becomes the norm.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"arts-emergency\"><strong>\u00a3282.37 donated to Arts Emergency<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Through our Amplify Future Open Call, we raised \u00a3282.37 for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arts-emergency.org\/noticeboard\/24\/02\/ten-years-time-a-hopeful-prediction-for-the-future-of-the-creative-industries\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Arts Emergency<\/a>, an organisation doing vital work to connect young people from working-class and underrepresented backgrounds with mentors and networks in the creative industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Arts Emergency believes that where you come from shouldn&#8217;t determine whether you can build a creative career. They provide mentorship, resources, and community to young creatives who might not have access to the informal networks that often make or break creative careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"707\" height=\"1000\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-64682 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/AE-Manifesto_2024_RGB.jpg\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-7185aa6c wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:8px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<p class=\"has-body-font-family has-medium-font-size\"><span class=\"wp-rich-text-font-awesome-icon wp-font-awesome-icon\"><\/span><strong>Every entry made a difference<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every entry contributed to this total, which means every person who submitted to Amplify Future with a donation played a part in supporting the next generation of creatives. That feels important to acknowledge.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"masterclass\"><strong>60 longlisted creatives learning how to unlock your network with Ceri Hand<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As part of the Amplify Future longlist prize, 60 creatives joined a masterclass with <a href=\"https:\/\/cerihand.com\" title=\"\">Ceri Hand<\/a> on unlocking your network. Ceri is a gallerist, curator, and someone who genuinely understands how creative networks actually work (not just in theory, but in practice).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One image stuck with everyone in the session: a beehive of connections. Your network isn&#8217;t a linear ladder you climb &#8211; it&#8217;s an interconnected web where every connection has the potential to lead somewhere unexpected. The session explored how to build authentic relationships in the creative industries without feeling like you&#8217;re &#8220;networking&#8221; in that traditional, uncomfortable sense. The kind of workshop we all wish we&#8217;d had five years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1430\" height=\"1079\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-64683 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1430px) 100vw, 1430px\" data-src=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-05-20-180135.png\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-05-20-180135.png 1430w, https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-05-20-180135-768x579.png 768w\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-7185aa6c wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:8px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<p class=\"has-body-font-family has-medium-font-size\"><span class=\"wp-rich-text-font-awesome-icon wp-font-awesome-icon\"><\/span><strong>The kind of workshop we all wish we&#8217;d had five years ago<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Creatives left with practical strategies for nurturing connections, understanding the value they bring to relationships, and approaching their networks with curiosity rather than anxiety.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"organisations\"><strong>231 organisations posted an opportunity on Zealous<\/strong>&#8230;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This year, 231 organisations trusted Zealous to manage their entries. These include <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/sovereignartfoundation\/creative-opportunities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">The Sovereign Art Foundation<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/ssa1\/creative-opportunities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Society of Scottish Artists<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/thecassartprize\/creative-opportunities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">The Cass Art Prize<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/embracingourdifferences1\/creative-opportunities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Embracing Our Differences<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/lumenprize\/creative-opportunities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">The Lumen Prize<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/thefoliosociety\/creative-opportunities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">The Folio Society<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/rmets\/creative-opportunities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">RMetS<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/ciwem2\/creative-opportunities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">CIWEM<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There&#8217;s something special about nurturing these long-term partnerships, seeing organisations return because they&#8217;ve found our services genuinely helpful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For repeat organisations, it&#8217;s not just about convenience (though we hope we make things easier). It&#8217;s about connecting them with a community of serious, committed creatives who are actively seeking <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/insights\/find-the-best-creative-opportunities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">opportunities to develop their practice<\/a> and gain recognition. This is the community we&#8217;re working so hard to build. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"first-time\">\u2026<strong>and 129 of these organisations posted an opportunity for the first time<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This one&#8217;s exciting: 129 organisations posted an opportunity on Zealous for the very first time this year. New galleries, new prizes, new commissions, new ways for creatives to get their work seen and supported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the reason why we exist: to grow a virtuous cycle of creativity. And we have interviewed some of the people making these new opportunities possible, including Isabel H. Langtry who&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/insights\/putting-money-in-sculptors-pockets-inside-the-london-sculpture-prize-with-isabel-h-langtry\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">putting money in sculptors&#8217; pockets through the London Sculpture Prize<\/a>, while Ross Poole discussed <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/articles\/ross-poole-on-the-michael-harding-secret-coast-prize-for-fine-art-and-shifting-power-back-to-artists\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">the Michael Harding Secret Coast Prize for Fine Art<\/a> and the vital work of shifting power back to artists. <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/libraryon\/creative-opportunities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">The British Library<\/a> is another organisation that posted their first opportunity with us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1440\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-63831 lazyload\" style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/4;object-fit:cover\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" data-src=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/11\/Under-the-Grey-Sky-Photos-37-scaled.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/11\/Under-the-Grey-Sky-Photos-37-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/11\/Under-the-Grey-Sky-Photos-37-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/11\/Under-the-Grey-Sky-Photos-37-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/11\/Under-the-Grey-Sky-Photos-37-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ross, Secret Coast Prize for Fine Art<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"668\" height=\"1176\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-63171 lazyload\" style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/4;object-fit:cover\" data-src=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/wpadmin2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/11\/image001.jpg\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Isabel, London Sculpture Prize<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-7185aa6c wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:8px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<p class=\"has-body-font-family has-medium-font-size\"><span class=\"wp-rich-text-font-awesome-icon wp-font-awesome-icon\"><\/span><strong>New doors opening<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every first-time organisation represents a new door opening for creative practitioners. And that&#8217;s something to be celebrated. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group mid_post_cta has-base-2-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-83858da6ced582519ce63fcfd9662766 has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-34d7f7af wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:8px;background:linear-gradient(103deg,rgba(242,145,160,0.7) 0%,rgba(187,215,242,0.73) 70%);margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<div id=\"mid-cta-a\" class=\"wp-block-group has-contrast-color has-base-2-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-f0a12e20b216dfc8dc951a5929df682a has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-e4a18999 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:8px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-contrast-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-decc535b6327c1f7126198669a05008a\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0.2rem\"><span class=\"wp-rich-text-font-awesome-icon wp-font-awesome-icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"fas\" data-icon=\"envelope-open-text\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-envelope-open-text \" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" style=\"font-size:1.4em\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M288 33.9L96.4 175.8 254.5 293c5.3 3.9 11.2 6.9 17.5 8.7L272 464c0 5.5 .5 10.8 1.3 16L96 480c-35.3 0-64-28.7-64-64l0-239.9c0-20.3 9.6-39.4 25.9-51.4L254.5-21c9.7-7.2 21.4-11 33.5-11s23.8 3.9 33.5 11L518.1 124.7c7.2 5.3 13.1 12 17.4 19.6-2.5-.2-5-.3-7.5-.3L436.6 144 288 33.9zM320 240c0-26.5 21.5-48 48-48l160 0c26.5 0 48 21.5 48 48l0 224c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48l-160 0c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48l0-224zm80 16c-13.3 0-24 10.7-24 24s10.7 24 24 24l96 0c13.3 0 24-10.7 24-24s-10.7-24-24-24l-96 0zm0 96c-13.3 0-24 10.7-24 24s10.7 24 24 24l56 0c13.3 0 24-10.7 24-24s-10.7-24-24-24l-56 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center cta_text content_mid_cta has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-8a0ce27d23f7e9cc6f0d594f1d06f2d9\">Insights like these straight to your inbox<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Receive weekly tips from our founder to grow your program\u2019s impact; regardless of what tools you use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-a89b3969 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button primary-cta\" id=\"host-weekly-tips-mid-cta\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/insights\/weekly-awards-and-competitions-insights\/\" style=\"font-size:clamp(0.875rem, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 0.2rem) * 0.156), 1rem);\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"wp-rich-text-font-awesome-icon wp-font-awesome-icon\"><\/span> <span class=\"wp-rich-text-font-awesome-icon wp-font-awesome-icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"fas\" data-icon=\"envelope\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-envelope \" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M48 64c-26.5 0-48 21.5-48 48 0 15.1 7.1 29.3 19.2 38.4l208 156c17.1 12.8 40.5 12.8 57.6 0l208-156c12.1-9.1 19.2-23.3 19.2-38.4 0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48L48 64zM0 196L0 384c0 35.3 28.7 64 64 64l384 0c35.3 0 64-28.7 64-64l0-188-198.4 148.8c-34.1 25.6-81.1 25.6-115.2 0L0 196z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span> Subscribe to Insights<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"mid-cta-b\" class=\"wp-block-group hide has-contrast-color has-base-2-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-ca05ccdaab1def85577cb2a6d6db569d has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-e4a18999 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:8px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-contrast-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c35947b2679f7e019645ffbfe224e3d2\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0.2rem\"><span class=\"wp-rich-text-font-awesome-icon wp-font-awesome-icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"fas\" data-icon=\"chart-line\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-chart-line \" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" style=\"font-size:1.4em\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M64 64c0-17.7-14.3-32-32-32S0 46.3 0 64L0 400c0 44.2 35.8 80 80 80l400 0c17.7 0 32-14.3 32-32s-14.3-32-32-32L80 416c-8.8 0-16-7.2-16-16L64 64zm406.6 86.6c12.5-12.5 12.5-32.8 0-45.3s-32.8-12.5-45.3 0L320 210.7 262.6 153.4c-12.5-12.5-32.8-12.5-45.3 0l-96 96c-12.5 12.5-12.5 32.8 0 45.3s32.8 12.5 45.3 0l73.4-73.4 57.4 57.4c12.5 12.5 32.8 12.5 45.3 0l128-128z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center cta_text content_mid_cta has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-77a2863cd996b074853fbd2c95c9a19c\">Calculate when submissions will arrive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Ever wondered if your award will hit its submission targets? Or how your program compares to industry standards?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-a89b3969 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button primary-cta\" id=\"host-submissions-projection-mid-cta\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/insights\/submission-projection-calculator\/\" style=\"font-size:clamp(0.875rem, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 0.2rem) * 0.156), 1rem);\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"wp-rich-text-font-awesome-icon wp-font-awesome-icon\"><\/span><span class=\"wp-rich-text-font-awesome-icon wp-font-awesome-icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"fas\" data-icon=\"calculator\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-calculator \" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 384 512\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M64 0C28.7 0 0 28.7 0 64L0 448c0 35.3 28.7 64 64 64l256 0c35.3 0 64-28.7 64-64l0-384c0-35.3-28.7-64-64-64L64 0zM96 64l192 0c17.7 0 32 14.3 32 32l0 32c0 17.7-14.3 32-32 32L96 160c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32l0-32c0-17.7 14.3-32 32-32zm16 168a24 24 0 1 1 -48 0 24 24 0 1 1 48 0zm80 24a24 24 0 1 1 0-48 24 24 0 1 1 0 48zm128-24a24 24 0 1 1 -48 0 24 24 0 1 1 48 0zM88 352a24 24 0 1 1 0-48 24 24 0 1 1 0 48zm128-24a24 24 0 1 1 -48 0 24 24 0 1 1 48 0zm80 24a24 24 0 1 1 0-48 24 24 0 1 1 0 48zM64 424c0-13.3 10.7-24 24-24l112 0c13.3 0 24 10.7 24 24s-10.7 24-24 24L88 448c-13.3 0-24-10.7-24-24zm232-24c13.3 0 24 10.7 24 24s-10.7 24-24 24-24-10.7-24-24 10.7-24 24-24z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span> Calculate submissions<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"entries\"><strong><strong>Every few minutes this year, somewhere in the world, a candidate hit the submit button<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Every few minutes this year, a candidate hit the &#8216;submit&#8217; button. That&#8217;s tens of thousands of courageous moments, putting yourself out there and believing your work deserves to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of those submissions led to wins, exhibitions, commissions, recognition. Others didn&#8217;t, and that&#8217;s the nature of creative opportunities. But here&#8217;s what we want you to know if you were one of those people entering: you did it. You showed up for yourself. You said yes when self-doubt probably whispered no. You completed the application, uploaded your images, wrote your statement, and sent it out into the world.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-7185aa6c wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:8px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<p class=\"has-body-font-family has-medium-font-size\"><span class=\"wp-rich-text-font-awesome-icon wp-font-awesome-icon\"><\/span><strong>Every entry is an act of belief<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether it led to a win or a rejection, you put yourself in the arena, and that takes guts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"entries\"><strong><strong>8 deployments to improve our services<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Behind the scenes, our development team shipped&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/deployed\/\">8 deployments<\/a>&nbsp;this year, each one focused on making your experience smoother, faster, and more intuitive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;re really excited about bringing the biggest changes in early 2026. We&#8217;re working on simplifying multiple submissions and payments &#8211; these updates will make life easier for both organisers and candidates. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"team\"><strong>14 humans behind the scenes working hard to make things happen<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Behind every opportunity, article, and email you receive from us, there are 14 humans who care deeply about making Zealous a space that truly serves creative practitioners. <a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/team\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Our team<\/a> has poured energy, creativity, and genuine care into building something that works for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thank you for engaging with us this year \u2013 for reading our articles, for trusting us with your submissions, for sharing your voice notes and your visions of the future, for being part of this community. We&#8217;ve learned so much from you, and we&#8217;re already planning how to support you even better in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;ll be here for you next year, bringing new opportunities, new resources, and continuing to advocate for creative practitioners at every stage of their journey. Watch this space, because we&#8217;re only just getting started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s to 2025, and to everything you created this year. We&#8217;re honoured to have been part of it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-left:0\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Want us to write more content like this? Give it a like<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-space-between is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9366075c wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-368c6775 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-right:0;padding-left:0\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wpulike wpulike-animated-heart  wpulike-is-pro\" ><div class=\"wp_ulike_general_class wp_ulike_is_restricted\"><button type=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Like Button\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-ulike-id=\"64495\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-ulike-nonce=\"476b05cfcf\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-ulike-type=\"post\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-ulike-template=\"wpulike-animated-heart\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-ulike-display-likers=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-ulike-likers-style=\"popover\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-ulike-append=\"&lt;svg class=&quot;wpulike-svg-heart wpulike-svg-heart-pop one&quot; viewBox=&quot;0 0 32 29.6&quot;&gt;&lt;path d=&quot;M23.6,0c-3.4,0-6.3,2.7-7.6,5.6C14.7,2.7,11.8,0,8.4,0C3.8,0,0,3.8,0,8.4c0,9.4,9.5,11.9,16,21.2c6.1-9.3,16-12.1,16-21.2C32,3.8,28.2,0,23.6,0z&quot;\/&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;&lt;svg class=&quot;wpulike-svg-heart wpulike-svg-heart-pop two&quot; viewBox=&quot;0 0 32 29.6&quot;&gt;&lt;path d=&quot;M23.6,0c-3.4,0-6.3,2.7-7.6,5.6C14.7,2.7,11.8,0,8.4,0C3.8,0,0,3.8,0,8.4c0,9.4,9.5,11.9,16,21.2c6.1-9.3,16-12.1,16-21.2C32,3.8,28.2,0,23.6,0z&quot;\/&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;&lt;svg class=&quot;wpulike-svg-heart wpulike-svg-heart-pop three&quot; viewBox=&quot;0 0 32 29.6&quot;&gt;&lt;path d=&quot;M23.6,0c-3.4,0-6.3,2.7-7.6,5.6C14.7,2.7,11.8,0,8.4,0C3.8,0,0,3.8,0,8.4c0,9.4,9.5,11.9,16,21.2c6.1-9.3,16-12.1,16-21.2C32,3.8,28.2,0,23.6,0z&quot;\/&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;&lt;svg class=&quot;wpulike-svg-heart wpulike-svg-heart-pop four&quot; viewBox=&quot;0 0 32 29.6&quot;&gt;&lt;path 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24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M13.982 10.622 20.54 3h-1.554l-5.693 6.618L8.745 3H3.5l6.876 10.007L3.5 21h1.554l6.012-6.989L15.868 21h5.245l-7.131-10.378Zm-2.128 2.474-.697-.997-5.543-7.93H8l4.474 6.4.697.996 5.815 8.318h-2.387l-4.745-6.787Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-label screen-reader-text\">\n\t\t\tShare on X\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div data-schema-only=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-aioseo-faq\"><h3 class=\"aioseo-faq-block-question\"><strong>What <\/strong>is Zealous Amplify Future<strong>?<\/strong><\/h3><div class=\"aioseo-faq-block-answer\">\n<p>Zealous Amplify Future was an open call launched in early 2025 that asked creatives one question: what does the future look like to you? We received 507 submissions from artists, designers, and makers who shared their visions through hope, imagination, and creativity. The programme included winners, a prestigious judging panel, masterclasses with industry experts like Ceri Hand, and raised \u00a3282.37 for Arts Emergency to support the next generation of creatives.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-schema-only=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-aioseo-faq\"><h3 class=\"aioseo-faq-block-question\"><strong><strong>How do I submit to opportunities on Zealous?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><div class=\"aioseo-faq-block-answer\">\n<p>To submit to opportunities on Zealous, browse our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/zealous.co\/opportunities\/\">opportunities page<\/a>&nbsp;where you&#8217;ll find open calls from galleries, prizes, residencies, and commissions. Each opportunity has clear submission guidelines, deadlines, and requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Simply create a free account, complete your profile with your work, and apply to opportunities that match your creative practice. In 2025, creatives completed tens of thousands of entries through our platform, and we&#8217;re making the process even smoother with improvements to multiple submissions and payments coming in early 2026.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-schema-only=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-aioseo-faq\"><h3 class=\"aioseo-faq-block-question\"><strong>Who uses Zealous to manage their submissions?<\/strong><\/h3><div class=\"aioseo-faq-block-answer\">\n<p>In 2025, 231 organisations posted opportunities on Zealous, including The Sovereign Art Foundation, Society of Scottish Artists, The Cass Art Prize, The Lumen Prize, and The British Library. What&#8217;s particularly exciting is that 129 of these organisations posted their first opportunity with us this year, representing new doors opening for creative practitioners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Organisations choose Zealous because it connects them with a community of serious, committed creatives actively seeking opportunities to develop their practice.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-schema-only=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-aioseo-faq\"><h3 class=\"aioseo-faq-block-question\"><strong>What&#8217;s coming to Zealous in early 2026?<\/strong><\/h3><div class=\"aioseo-faq-block-answer\">\n<p>Early 2026 will bring some of our biggest improvements yet, focused on simplifying multiple submissions and payments to make the process smoother for both creatives and organisations. Our next deployment will also mark a significant milestone &#8211; our 300th deployment since Zealous began. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;re continuing to advocate for creative practitioners at every stage of their journey, bringing new opportunities, resources, and platform improvements throughout the year.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Zealous 2025 Wrapped: celebrating a year of creative community in numbers. Plus, what&#8217;s coming in 2026 \u2013 including our 300th platform deployment and major improvements to multiple submissions and payments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":64752,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"wp-custom-template-post-news","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[106],"tags":[910],"class_list":["post-64495","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-managing-awards"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64495","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=64495"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64495\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":64900,"href":"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64495\/revisions\/64900"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/64752"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=64495"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=64495"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=64495"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}