Students from a range of disadvantaged backgrounds are currently significantly under-represented both in the profession of children’s book illustration, and in the student cohort of ARU’s MA Children’s Book Illustration course at ARU’s Cambridge School of Art.
The purpose of the ARU Children’s Book Illustration Inclusivity Bursary is to encourage and support talented UK students from under-represented groups to study the MA Children’s Book Illustration course at ARU’s Cambridge School of Art.
It aims to help overcome some of the barriers that currently prevent students from under-represented groups from taking up this course of study, and subsequently progressing into a successful career as a children’s book illustrator.
The 2022 Bursary is a one-off award of £11,200 (paid to the recipient in instalments – one instalment for each trimester of study) which is intended to cover either typical full student living expenses for one year, or the majority of the tuition fees for study on the MA Children’s Book Illustration course at ARU’s Cambridge School of Art.
It also includes one-year bespoke mentorship to help the recipient student find their footing in the industry after graduating. This is provided by Picture Hooks, an organisation offering opportunity and development for emerging picture book illustrators.
The eligibility criteria to apply for this Bursary are that the applicant:
To be eligible to receive the Bursary, applicants must additionally have:
Selection will be based on evidence supplied in the application form on:
The Bursary will be advertised alongside the course information and application process. Eligible students will be invited to apply at the same time as applying for the course.
Students will need to complete a short Bursary application form including a simple personal statement and portfolio. The application form will require students to submit evidence of financial hardship in the standard format used by ARU’s Student Money Advice Service (SMAS) to assess levels of student hardship and financial need.
The Bursary will be awarded to the student whose application is judged by the panel to score most highly.
Applications will be scored and short-listed by the course leader and senior lecturer of the MA Children’s Book Illustration course. A judging panel will then meet to agree the scoring and short-listing and determine the successful recipient. The panel will comprise:
Please complete an application form, and submit a PDF portfolio of your work (10-15 images of drawings, preferably done from observation, paintings and/or illustrations) or a link to your website if you have one.
If you'd like to support our Children's Book Illustration Inclusivity Bursary, please visit our Donate a gift page. Every penny of your donation allows us to provide life-changing opportunities.