Art Meets Culture and Wingstop UK Launch Art Programme to Spotlight Britain’s Emerging Visual Artists
Breaking into the art world has never been easy — but for young artists in Britain today,
the barriers can feel near impossible. Galleries remain opaque, exposure often hinges on who you know, and securing funding or mentorship is, at best, inconsistent. A recent report by Arts Emergency found that just 16% of working-class creatives believe they have access to the networks needed to succeed in the arts.
It’s against this backdrop that Art Meets Culture and Wingstop UK have launched The New Vanguard — a six-week artist development programme aimed squarely at shaking up the system. Open to visual artists aged 18 to 25, the initiative combines practical funding, mentorship, and meaningful visibility, culminating in a headline exhibition during London’s Frieze Week this October.
The ethos is simple: empower emerging creatives not just to show work, but to build sustainable practices and public presence. Each of the four selected artists will receive an £800 commission, a tailored series of development workshops, and 1:1 access to industry mentors ranging from curators and brand strategists to practising artists.
This isn’t just an artist programme. It’s an ecosystem,” says Ade Sanusi, founder of Art Meets Culture.
Art for Now — and for Who’s Next
The statistics paint a clear picture: young artists are hungry for platforms, but face significant systemic hurdles. According to Creative Access, over 80% of young creatives in the UK say they feel shut out of opportunities because of their background or lack of connections. Studio rent continues to rise in cities like London and Manchester, and many arts graduates report having little knowledge of how to turn their practice into a livelihood.
The New Vanguard hopes to address that knowledge gap directly. Its six workshop modules cover everything from defining artistic voice and developing creative concepts to navigating the intersection of art, brands and business. Crucially, the programme includes support in social media storytelling — an often underestimated part of building a public-facing practice today.
There’s also a central theme driving the 2025 edition: ‘Building space where there was none’ — an exploration of identity, creative resistance, and ambition against the odds. ‘There’s this myth that talent rises on its own — but actually, it needs the right environment to thrive,’ says Sanusi. ‘We’re here to help build that environment.’
Flavour, Culture, and an Unlikely Partner
At first glance, a chicken wing brand may seem an unusual bedfellow for a contemporary arts programme. But for Wingstop UK, the partnership is less about product and more about purpose.
At Wingstop, we believe in flavour. Not just on the plate — but in how people express themselves. This partnership with Art Meets Culture is about investing in the next generation of creative tastemakers.” — Wingstop UK Marketing Team
While Wingstop has previously aligned itself with music and streetwear communities, The New Vanguard marks its first significant investment in visual art. The brand is supporting a docu-style content series tracking each artist’s journey, providing muchneeded visibility in an era where digital presence can be as vital as gallery space.
How to Get Involved
Applications are now open to UK-based visual artists aged 18–25. The deadline is 15 August 2025, with the programme running from 25 August to 29 September. The final exhibition will take place during Frieze Week, 16–19 October 2025.
To apply, artists must submit:
- A short bio
- A portfolio (3–5 recent works)
- A 200-word written statement
- A short video (2–5 minutes) explaining their practice and interest in the
programme
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: August 15, 2025 (Midnight)
- Programme Runs: August 25th – September 29th, 2025
- Final Showcase: October 16–19, 2025 (Frieze Week, London)
Application details can be found here, In a time when too many young creatives are left to navigate the arts alone, The New Vanguard oSers a rare proposition: a programme with funding, mentorship, storytelling, and a public platform — all rooted in the belief that the next generation shouldn’t just participate in culture, but shape it.
©2025 Art Meets Culture
Freelance social media consultant, Art lover and a NFT enthusiast
