Are You a Budding Artist? £750 John Nicholson Foundation Bursary available in 2026

The John Nicholson Foundation donates an annual bursary to a chosen island-based artist, along with offering help and support for individual art projects and educational initiatives and welcomes approaches from any to any local painter or artist using visual media to find out how the foundation may help them.

John Nicholson Foundation: 2026 Bursary Award - Terms and Conditions

You must have lived on the Isle of Man for at least three years within past five years.

• Applications should be made by email to the John Nicholson Foundation secretary: johnnicholsonfoundation@gmail.com

• Your application should include:

  • Up to six photos of samples of your work in jpg format

  • Your full details (Name, address, age, email, contact Tel. etc.) and any relevant background information.

  • If you are under 18, the name and contact details of your parent or guardian or care person (who will be asked to provide written (or email) permission for anyone receiving an award).

  • Your preferred medium (John Nicholson worked in water colour, oil, pastel, charcoal and pencil, but all visual media will be considered).

  • Tell us why you would benefit from this award.

You may only submit photographs and/or material that is your original work and for which you have publication rights.

The closing date for applications is 31 JULY 2026.

Unless you state otherwise, the organisers will assume all submitted photos may be used royalty-free by the John Nicholson Foundation to publicise your work and/or the Award; if appropriate, photos may be edited to make them suitable for such purposes. Applications must include at least one photograph that may be used in this way.  Please note you will retain copyright for any artwork used in this way.

Judges will consider technical merit, content and composition, imagination and style. Preference may be given to those for whom this award will enable them to expand potential that otherwise might be constrained financially

There will be one award of £750; the recipient will be required to attend a meeting of the Rotary Club of Rushen & Western Man approximately 12 months after receiving the award to explain how their work has progressed during the year.

The organisers at their sole discretion may make additional awards of lesser amounts to any runners up. 

The judges’ decision is final. No correspondence or discussion will be entered into following the announcement of the recipient except at the sole discretion of the organisers.

The competition is run by the John Nicholson Foundation (JNF), which is an Isle of Man registered charity (Charity number 440 and Company number 052460C). 

Information provided with any applications and any subsequent information provided (including bank details for those receiving any payments from the JNF) will be held securely.  We do not share any of this information with any third party organisations except in relation to the Bursary or other awards available from JNF.