Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for Fresh, you must have had a sustained commitment to creative practice with clay for between 3 and 7 years. You must also be living in the UK or Ireland from the point of application to November 2025.
Eligible applicants include:
- Applicants who are self-taught, have studied through community workshops or a different learning route
- Applicants who have undertaken an apprenticeship
- Applicants who are undertaking courses from UK or Ireland-based Higher Education or Further Education Institutes
What is a sustained commitment to creative practice? And how do I demonstrate this?
Having a sustained commitment to creative practice is to have an ongoing dedication to developing your work over a period of time. For example, you might have been studying or training and are now continuing independently. Or, you might have worked with a collective or studio and wish to profile your activities through the exhibition.
How do you define an early-career artist?
We define an early career artist as someone who has been practising between 3 and 7 years, including time in education or learning.
What if I took a break in my practice? Am I still eligible?
If you had to put your practice on hold due to a health event or personal commitments like starting a family or caring responsibilities, you will still be eligible if the total time you have had a committed creative practice adds up to between 3 and 7 years.
How do you define quality and ambition?
We define quality as the realisation and delivery of artistic intention in physical form and/or emotional and intellectual impact. We define ambition as the effort or ability by which artistic intentions are developed, planned and communicated. This information on ambition and quality from Arts Council England might also be useful (Essential read: Ambition & quality | Arts Council England)
Can the artworks be made with materials other than clay?
Yes, providing the primary medium is clay.
Can I propose new work?
No — only existing work up to 3 years old is eligible for Fresh.
How many artworks can I submit?
You can only submit five images in your application, and these images should reflect the work, or collection of work you would like to exhibit. This can look like:
- five separate images of five separate pieces
- five images of one artwork
- five images of a collection of artwork
- two or three pieces of work with detail images
The work you submit should be what you consider to be your best work. Submitting one high quality artwork is sometimes better than submitting five good quality artworks.
Is there a size restriction?
Restrictions can vary depending on the venue and other installations, so please provide dimensions of all work submitted in the application form.
What media are eligible for entry?
All media are eligible providing the primary medium is clay.
Can I apply if I have been selected for previous Fresh exhibitions?
Yes, provided you are still within the eligibility criteria.
I am having a problem accessing/sending my application. What do I do?
Please contact us via email: apply@britishceramicsbiennial.com. We are happy to help. Due to high quantities of applications being made leading up to the deadline, we strongly advise that you make and send in your application well in advance.
