The DCMS Jerwood Creative Bursaries Scheme is a pilot programme funded by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Arts Council England (ACE) and managed by the Jerwood Foundation and Jerwood Charitable Foundation.

The Scheme acts as a springboard to launch talented recent graduates into careers in the arts.  The arts industry is notoriously hard to break into and the current inequality of access to entry level jobs created by the practice of unpaid internships acts as a barrier to many.  This scheme provides a new route into arts professions for those who are not in a financial position to work for free.

The longer term aim is to open up arts careers to a wider group of people, creating a more diverse work force and encouraging best practice in recruitment and staff development.

The Jerwood Foundation was invited to establish the Scheme on behalf of DCMS and ACE and it is run by its Director, Kate Danielson, in conjunction with the Jerwood Charitable Foundation and the Jerwood Foundation.  It was launched on 4th November 2010 at Jerwood Space in London by Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, Alan Grieve, Chairman of the Jerwood Foundation, and Andrew Nairne, Executive Director, Arts, Arts Council England.

Arts organisations from around England have been selected to host bursary recipients in placements lasting between six and twelve months.  These new roles have been specially designed to give new graduates the very best start to their careers, covering a wide range of jobs in the arts across art forms. 

Running initially as a pilot across a two year period until March 2012, 42 placements have been created.  Successful candidates receive a bursary of £15,000 per annum pro rata, are assigned a mentor and are encouraged to take part in structured networking opportunities throughout their placement. Where possible we have sought to encouraging peer cohorts to form. The scheme also offers financial support to host organisations.

All placements have now been filled. Please see Participating Hosts & Filled Placements for a full list of host organisations and the placements they are hosting.

For general information about the Scheme please e-mail Kate Danielson Director, or telephone her on 07815 736156.

For information about specific placements, please contact the host organisation directly. 

Information for Arts Organisations: 
All hosts have now been selected. Please note that the DCMS Jerwood Creative Bursaries Scheme is not open to unsolicited applications from arts organisations. During the pilot period organisations have been invited to apply.