Solo Parent Creative Grant

Open Call: Creative Development Support for Solo Parents in the Arts

We’re excited to invite applications for a new grant opportunity designed specifically to support a solo parent creative in our region. This initiative recognises the unique challenges faced by solo parents working in the arts — where over-stretched resources can often push creative practice to the margins, deepening feelings of isolation, anxiety and disconnection

This annual grant is generously brought to OVADA by a solo parent and Associate Artist Member, with the aim of creating space, community and tailored support for fellow solo parent creative over the course of one year

free to apply!

Apply Now

What we can offer

We aim to shape the support around your individual needs 

The selected recipient will receive:

  • Free OVADA Associate Membership for 1 year

  • Access to shared studio space upstairs at OVADA 

  • Regular check-ins with the OVADA team

  • Artist mentorship

  • Opportunities to participate in OVADA exhibitions, for example RED CLAY and Artweeks

  • The chance to become part of OVADA's creative community

Up to £150 per month in tailored support - see some examples in our FAQ section

Accessibility & Support

We’re here to help. If you have any questions or need an alternative application format please don’t hesitate to contact us at:

engagement@ovada.org.uk

We’re keen to hear from solo parent creatives of all backgrounds, practices and stages in their careers

FAQ’S Below

“Having been a single parent of two children for over 7 years I can speak directly of the need for a project like this that is a beacon of light for parents who may be struggling to make time for their own practice and certainly to access funds, peer-support and encouragement. 

My experience as a single parent is that all our resources are frankly over-stretched and our own need to express ourselves through our art is lost, it is put on the back-burner as there is simply no room in terms of time or energy and certainly little or no money to buy paper, paint, a sketchbook or some charcoal.  This therefore creates a situation that often leads to our artistic practice being left to wither which further exacerbates the feeling of loneliness, isolation and high-anxiety.  

As well as resources, I needed encouragement and support, a nudge to keep-going and a reminder that I was something other than a parent frankly. If I had had support like this in the form of more art materials, personal encouragement, a sense of community from an Art institution housed in my community that I felt a part-of and affiliated to, I would have had less anxiety, an increased sense of self-worth, a sense of hope for a brighter future. A future for myself and my children.”

- Solo Parent and OVADA Associate Artist

FAQs

    • Our building has 24 hour access and is well connected to many bus routes and only minutes from Oxford Rail Station

    • We also have a large off-street loading area with wide doors

    • The shared Education Space has power sockets and Wi-Fi

    • Communal facilities including access to a messy sink with running water and a kitchen

  • Tailored support could come in the form of:

    • Support with childcare costs

    • Food vouchers

    • Contribution towards materials or equipment

    • Professional development support (e.g. workshops, portfolio reviews, networking)

    We're open to other ideas too — this grant is designed to be flexible and responsive 

  • This opportunity is open to solo parents of any gender, working across any creative discipline. We do not have a strict definition of what it means to be a parent or creative — we trust you to self-identify based on your lived experience and caring responsibilities.

    Whether you’re returning to your creativity after a break, navigating the balance between parenting and art-making, or simply in need of extra support, we encourage you to apply

    This opportunity is most suited to people who live within easy reach of central Oxford, so that we can offer support in person

  • Please apply via the application form

    We are inviting proposals from solo parent creatives

    We'll select one person whom we believe would benefit most from this grant based on need, clarity of purpose and potential impact on their creative practice

    Application Deadline: Thursday 16 October 2025 at 11:59pm


    We aim to inform the successful applicant by: Thursday 13 November 2025


    We will try to offer feedback to unsuccessful applicants upon request

    If you would like to submit your application via an alternative method, for example, audio or visual file, please send this to director@ovada.org.uk

  • OVADA does not discriminate against eligible applications on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic background, religion, disability or age. Creatives are advised to discuss any access requirements with OVADA before applying. They are also welcome to contact OVADA if they need help completing their application or wish to submit their application in an alternative format.