Applications are now open for the coming year’s NEAC Scholarships. As we look forward to welcoming a new cohort, here are reflections from our outgoing Scholars on what the experience has meant for their practice, as well as updates on Scholars from prior years.
NEAC Scholars 2025–26
Ethan FoX:
by Ethan Fox, Insta: @ethanfoxpaints
"The NEAC Scholarship has been fantastic, and a solid foundation on which to develop my artistic practice.
Highlights have included painting in the Scottish mountains, a Surrey vineyard, and the South Downs; I’ve attended life drawing classes, seen my favourite Degas painting, and met several of my heroes – all of whom welcomed me warmly. I’ve met and made real friends with some brilliant people – members, non-members and those from other societies. I’ve been offered guidance and feedback from some of the best painters working today and have found real community among people who know what it is to live an artist’s life. It’s been invaluable to learn from their methods and ideas, and especially to be accepted and appreciated as I am.
Throughout the year drawing in all its forms has been central to my enquiry; serving as a space in which to discover my weaknesses, augment my paint handling and to more fully own my voice. It has been through this dialogue, and experimentation with materials, surface and scale, that I’ve lost and found my way seemingly endless times; each time developing my awareness and skill, finding fleeting certainty and coming upon new questions. I couldn’t have accessed this kind of rigour without both the challenge and support I’ve received.
I wish to thank the members of the NEAC, again for their belief in me, and now additionally for their support, encouragement and generosity. Being awarded the NEAC Scholarship has been nothing short of transformational, and an absolute privilege. Though it’s coming to an end, it feels like just the beginning!"
Claire Venables:
Orbiter by Claire Venables, Insta: @claire_venables
"My NEAC Scholarship has been immensely rewarding and transformative. Spending time with member artists, both through workshops and studio visits, has exposed me to the incredible diversity of artistic approaches within the NEAC.
I am very grateful for the generosity and openness of the artists who welcomed me into their studios. Our in‑depth conversations around artistic practice allowed me to reflect more critically on my own work. This has given me the confidence to pursue my more ambitious ideas in the future, ideas that I realise I have been silently incubating for a long time.
The workshops have been the backbone of my year, connecting me to a range of encouraging tutors and a wider community of artists. Coming from a museum background, I found the sessions where we worked from collections particularly engaging, deepening my interest in our relationship with objects.
The Scholarship has given me a great deal to absorb, which I am keen to carry back into the studio. I can’t wait to see how it informs my next body of work. The inquisitiveness fostered during the year will remain central to my practice as I test ideas and push the boundaries of my painting."
Shawn Lee:
Awaiting a Late Dinner by Shawn Lee, Insta: @shawnlws.ar
"Being awarded the New English Scholarship has been a deeply valuable opportunity, allowing me to engage closely with a group of artists whose practices I have long admired. I have been able to learn directly from their approaches and critical perspectives, which has not only broadened my views of contemporary painting but has also challenged and strengthened my own artistic practice. The exchange of ideas and exposure to diverse ways of seeing and working have been instrumental in shaping my development, reinforcing my commitment to observational practice and thoughtful, reflective making.
These conversations and reflections have pushed me to be braver in my approaches and ideas, whilst bringing insights into the shared challenges that all artists go through, making the camaraderie even more relatable and precious. It has brought out a fighting spirit in me to be more responsible and responsive to how I convey my work.
I am grateful for the connections formed during the studio visits and workshops, and for the generosity and encouragement of the NEAC members, whose warmth made the experience especially meaningful. Being part of this experience with Ethan and Claire has been wonderful through our shared conversations and formed friendship. All these I cherish deeply."
NEAC Scholars 2024–25
Charlotte HoulihaN:
Dance of Life by Charlotte Houlihan, Insta: @charlottehoulihanartist
Since completing her Scholarship, Charlotte Houlihan has continued to build momentum, with new work taken on by Tregony Gallery. Her Val Harris Prize at the NEAC also led to a forthcoming solo exhibition at The Table in Hay‑on‑Wye this August.
“Getting to know members of the NEAC and indulging in conversations about painting [was] incredible and feels like a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity.”
Theo Dunford:
Tiepolo Cloud by Theo Dunford, Insta: @theodunford.art
“Visiting NEAC artists [was] priceless, and the chance to exchange ideas and experiences with such motivated artists [was] fascinating.”
Rizza Zahid:
Ritual by Rizza Zahid, Insta: @rizza.zahid
“Being an NEAC Scholar [was] an incredible experience. I got to learn from amazing artists, push my practice beyond my comfort zone, and experiment in new ways I wouldn’t have thought to before.”
NEAC Scholars 2023–24
Rae Birch Carter:
Dinner Party monoprint series by Rae Birch Carter, Insta: @drawing.rae
Since completing her Scholarship, Rae has developed her monoprint practice through a series of exhibitions, including her first solo show Small Screen Lovers at 155a Gallery in October 2024.
“To be able to dive in, immerse myself completely and lose track of time [was] so valuable in helping me move forward in my practice.”
Polly Smedley:
by Polly Smedley, Insta: @pollysmedley
“Over the past year, the occasions spent with members of the NEAC who welcomed me into their studios and generously shared their thoughts [were] the most valuable experiences, giving me a much deeper and more vivid awareness of the artistic life.”
Applications for the 2026-27 NEAC Scholarships are open until 15 May 2026, with awards worth £7,000 as well as the opportunity to attend NEAC workshops for free, and to develop mentoring relationships with the NEAC members. Find out more.