Jersey Artists Score £55K Grants to Spark Creative Magic in 2025

ArtHouse Jersey, a charity based in Jersey, has announced the recipients of its final round of development grants for 2025. This year, the organization allocated £55,000 to support local artists in developing their creative ideas and projects. Among the successful applicants is Kelly Frost, a historical fiction writer who is currently working on her third novel. Kelly plans to use her grant to access research libraries and archives across the UK, which she believes will help her create a more authentic and engaging story. She expressed her excitement about the opportunity to deepen her research and improve her writing.

Another recipient, Milly Warner, is a multidisciplinary designer and researcher. She received funding to participate in a residency at ZK/U, the Centre for Art and Urbanistics in Berlin. During her residency, Milly aims to develop her design practice and enhance her technical skills. The final outcome of her project could be a sculpture or a public art installation, allowing her to share her work with a wider audience. Zak Langlois, a member of the band Intermission, was also awarded a grant. The band will use the funds to produce a new EP with five songs and perform in Jersey, Guernsey, Cambridge, and London. Zak is looking forward to collaborating with industry professionals and bringing the band's creative vision to life.

Other artists who received grants include Lolly Waters, a comedian and writer, who will use her funding to present a new show at the Brighton Fringe Festival in 2026. Barry James, a member of the Songwriters Showcase, will use his grant to support public performances. Jackie Crichton, currently based in Scotland, plans to use her funding for development workshops related to her stage adaptation of The Book Tree by Paul Czajak. Harry Green, co-founder of Shorthand Films, received funding for a new comedy short film titled Happy Ending. Musicians Nick Baxter, who performs as Nick Hilder, and Rick Jones, a singer-songwriter and guitarist, were also awarded grants to support their new music projects.

Sam Walwyn, an artist, musician, songwriter, producer, and content creator, expressed his gratitude for the thorough support from ArtHouse Jersey. He said the grant allowed him to relax and focus on creating his best work. Anna Rieksta, a musician, will use her funding for singing lessons and professional music recording. Amber Hahn, a visual artist who works with glass and writing, will use her grant for one-on-one glassblowing sessions. She described the grant as arriving at a pivotal moment, enabling her to receive mentoring from an experienced glassblower and improve her skills. All the artists are grateful for the support, which will help them grow and share their work with the community. ArtHouse Jersey continues to play a vital role in nurturing local talent and encouraging artistic development.