Grand Matter launches Future Makers, driven from the want to see a more diverse illustration industry

Artist agency Grand Matter has announced its on the lookout for a “brand new crop of creatives to join the Grand Matter family” in the first of its annual Future Makers programme.

Driven from a want to see a more diverse illustration industry, Future Makers is exclusively open to illustration-based artists belonging to typically underrepresented groups in the industry. Whether you’ve recently left college or are looking to move into the commercial illustration world, the Future Makers programme will offer support from the Grand Matter team and its roster of artists.

If awarded a place on the programme (there are three available in total), creatives will receive a place for one year, including exclusive representation from Grand Matter. This will include guidance and support needed to develop a portfolio (based on already existing body or style of work) also then curated to be on the Grand Matter website. Working towards the aim of securing commissions for each individual, Grand Matter will provide regular personal development sessions over the course of the year, as well as an advice session with one of the artists from its roster.

To apply, creatives must be over 18 and have an existing collection of illustration-based work reflective of your tone of voice as a creative. Applicants must also belong to one of the following groups: living with a learning difficulty or living with a disability, a refugee or asylum seeker, a person of colour (Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic community), identify as LGBTQ+, parental household income less than £25k per annum, be a young parent or carer and haven’t received a university education.

Highly regarded for its roster of distinctive illustrators and makers “chosen for their grand ideas and creative curiosity”, Grand Matter is co-founded by illustrator Ciara Phelan and creative producer Dorcas Brown. Its clients include a vast number of cultural and commercial institutions from Apple to The New York Times and Vanity Fair, as well as the BBC, NSPCC and the Barbican. Current creatives represented by the agency, across illustration, animation, set design and typography include Aiste Sancikaite, Alec Doherty, Hollie Fuller and Thomas Hedger.

Applications for Future Makers are now open with a deadline for entires at midnight (GMT) on 21 March. You can apply directly here.