Loewe Foundation and Studio Voltaire award £5,000 grants and workspace to emerging talent amid city’s affordability crunch
Seven emerging artists will receive studio space and financial support through the third annual Loewe Foundation and Studio Voltaire award, addressing London’s severe shortage of affordable creative workspace.
The recipients—selected from over 500 applicants—are painter and drag performer Lulu Bennett, artist-poet-DJ Chaney Diao, photographer Jesse Glazzard, artist-writer Taey Iohe, video artist michael., sound artist Shenece Oretha, and filmmaker Bryan Giuseppi Rodriguez Cambana.
Each will receive £5,000 and studio space at Studio Voltaire starting in September, joining an alumni network that includes Turner Prize contenders and artists collected by major institutions like Tate and MoMA.
The Numbers Behind the Crisis
The award responds to stark realities facing London’s creative community. Research by charity Acme found that three-quarters of surveyed artists struggle financially, with studio rent consuming over 25% of their income. One-third said they may abandon their practice within five years due to financial pressure. Acme’s waiting list includes over 1,200 artists seeking affordable workspace, while genuine long-term studio options remain scarce across the capital.
The selection panel brought together major voices from London’s art scene, including iniva’s Sepake Angiama, artists Anthea Hamilton and Elizabeth Price, and Studio Voltaire’s leadership team. Additional nominations came from established artists Jadé Fadojutimi, Rachel Jones, and Tai Shani.
The foundation will announce its international award recipient later this year, extending support beyond London’s boundaries while maintaining focus on the city’s particular challenges for emerging artists.
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