Established in 2022, the bursary was set up to cover the costs of existing workshop places, in addition to funding artist fees and material expenses for bespoke workshops delivered to community groups.

So far we have partnered with Crisis to provide funded places on our drawing and painting courses, and with Yellow Submarine to offer a funded clay workshop for one of their weekday groups. We hope to continue to partner with a wide range of organisations and artists to expand The Archie Education Bursary.

We are dedicated to removing barriers to participation, making creative education accessible to everyone while also offering paid opportunities for artists. Our aim is to foster an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of their background or experience, can explore and nurture their creative potential. 

The initiative began with our One Of A Kind Sketchbook project, where over 50 artists—ranging from emerging talents to internationally recognized figures—designed unique sketchbook covers. These sketchbooks were sold to raise funds for the bursary. This year, we are running The Archie Art Auction - an online silent auction which invites art enthusiasts, collectors, and supporters to bid on a wide variety of artworks donated by our community of artists. The proceeds of this auction will be split, with half supporting the artists themselves and the other half funding The Archie Education Bursary.