AN Magazine

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Kira Freije: Unspeak the Chorus a-n member Kira Freije’s Turner Prize nominated Unspeak the Chorus comes to Modern Art Oxford. The exhibition is Freije’s first major solo presentation in the UK, bringing together around 20 hand-welded, life-size metal figures, and expanding her practice through the inclusion of animals and textiles. The results transform MOA’s Upper Gallery into an immersive and emotionally charged environment in which human and animal worlds meet.

Glasgow based artist, producer and DJ Kyle Angel Leeson and Dundee based curator and producer Laura McSorley have been selected as Exhibition Associates for this year’s Venice Biennale, joining a cohort as part of the Scotland + Venice Professional Development Programme (PDP). At the heart of the role is helping visitors connect with the themes and ideas behind the work of Scotland’s representatives at the Biennale – Glasgow based artist duo Bugarin + Castle.

a-n members took the opportunity to boost their professional development with support from a-n Artists’ Bursaries, open to all a-n Artist members. Aimed at visual artists working in all visual arts disciplines, and at any stage of their career, the fund offered bursaries of £500 to £1,500 to help members take their practice to the next level.

Who can apply? Students graduating from an undergraduate visual arts course in the UK in 2026 Deadline: 12 noon, Wednesday 18 February 2026 Want your work featured in our 2026 Degree Shows Guide? Every May we publish our digital Degree Shows Guide, which celebrates the most exciting art and ideas of graduating students from art colleges across the UK.

We’re delighted to be working with Scotland + Venice to offer two Scotland-based, early career visual arts professionals or students a 4-week paid opportunity, working as Exhibition Associates at La Biennale di Venezia in 2026. Background Scotland + Venice is a major, international project designed to promote the best of contemporary art and architecture from Scotland on the world stage.

In the next few weeks, applications will open for the next cohort of exceptional cultural leaders who are ready to respond to the needs of the sector and lead for our time. Every year, a-n supports a professional artist in the UK who wishes to develop as leaders in the cultural sector through the Visual Artist Fellowship, part of the Clore Fellowship Programme.

With our selection you can buy direct from artists; get into the festive mood at a winter market; or treat yourself to a creative workshop so you can make unique gifts yourself. Melanie Ostler, Jewellery Seed pods and natural organic forms inspire Melanie Ostler’s elegant jewellery, like these Poppy Studs (from £60), which capture the intricacy of a poppy seed head. Available in gold vermeil or sterling silver, they’re sure to bring some sparkle to Christmas day.

Artists and arts professionals from across Europe came together for an inspiring day in Liverpool last month to discuss artist-led advocacy, activism and collective action. The IAA Europe Symposium: Artists Make Change, hosted by a-n and the International Association of Art (IAA) Europe, took place at The Bluecoat. If you weren’t able to be there, don’t worry; we recorded the whole event and you can catch up through the links below.

This year’s IAA Europe Symposium recognises that artist-led activism and advocacy is necessary to sustain a creative practice and create a fairer art world. Conversations will focus on three key areas: the essential role of artists in generating resources, reports and campaigns that advocate for structural change the power of collaboration to create visibility and equity in our sector the issues that demand our immediate attention today.