Ace & Tate launches Creative Fund for emerging artists and designers – apply now!

The Ace & Tate Creative Fund is looking to support individuals or collectives working anywhere, in any medium, who are taking creative risks to break new ground. The initiative is offering a number of one-off grants for specific projects and the support of established networks and connections to guide and assist in the realisation of each successful proposal.

On application, the submissions will be reviewed by a board of established industry figures who will then decide who to award the grants to. The board is made up of artists and filmmakers Lernert & Sander; Mario Lombardo, founder of Bureau Mario Lombardo; founder and CEO of Ace & Tate Mark de Lange, and It’s Nice That’s very own founder and director Will Hudson.

“We are looking for individuality and original ideas that can become tangible projects. We want to see imaginative ideas become exciting experiences, whether neon or noise, pixels or paint,” say the board. “You are free to choose a medium of your choice, as long as you can show us how your project comes to life.”

The fund is looking for original, creative and focused proposals that can be realised in around three months. Each successful applicant will be expected to keep a diary of their work so that the working process and the final outcomes can be featured on It’s Nice That and other media partner sites. The ownership of the work will remain with the creator.

The Amsterdam-based eyewear brand believes the support it is offering will allow new talent an opportunity to prosper. “As a start-up company, we flourished thanks to the belief in our brand and strong ties with a dynamic creative community,” says Mark de Lange. “Through these relationships we experienced first hand how tough it can be for young, ambitious creatives to get a leg-up. The Ace & Tate Creative Fund marks our commitment to this community by giving back and helping launch original projects and individuals.”

Board members Lernert and Sander say: “It is very exciting to join the board of Ace & Tate creative fund. We have started out as artists at a time when there was a large support system for creativity from the government and the industry. It’s not an easy time to be a young artist today. We are proud to lend our voice in the selection of this creative fund and to be able to give advice and guidance where needed. It’s very admirable that a company like Ace & Tate feels the need to contribute to the creative community.”

The creative fund is open to artists and collectives over the age of 18, there is no deadline for applications.The fund aims to select the first project by by 21 May.