As I was about to graduate from Norwich University of the Arts, I came across the opportunity to apply for the Cromer Artspace bursary. I knew I wasn’t ready to move straight into postgraduate study, so the chance to spend a year developing my practice through a residency felt like the perfect next step.
Having grown up in North Norfolk, Cromer Artspace was already a familiar place. I’d visited many times and had jobs in several places around the town, including Cromer pier, an ice cream shop and Cromer Museum, where I continued working throughout my residency.
The bursary provided support through mentoring from Caroline Chouler-Tissier and Ben Edge, a week in the studio with Stephanie Douet, and two weeks of dedicated studio space at Cromer Artspace. The residency concluded with an exhibition, giving me the opportunity to present my work in a gallery that reaches a broad audience. Its promenade location encourages visitors who may not usually seek out contemporary art, creating opportunities for unexpected conversations and connections.
My work told stories of North Norfolk from the perspective of someone born and raised here. The collections at Cromer Museum became an important resource, enriching my research.
The bursary gave me the time, space, and confidence to develop my practice independently before returning to higher education. It has been a bridge between undergraduate and postgraduate study, and I feel far better prepared as I begin my Master’s at the Royal College of Art this September.
Casey Jackson
