Our International Artist Bursary supports an artist from North Kensington to embark on a focused period of creative exploration abroad, enabling them to bring home fresh inspiration and new ideas from their journey. This year’s bursary destination is Trinidad and Tobago.
About the bursary
Now in its third year, the aim of our bursary programme is to support local artistic development and cultural exchange that returns value to our communities through shared learning and public outcomes.
The bursary is open to artists working across visual, literary and related interdisciplinary practices. The programme has previously supported artists to travel internationally to develop their practice and bring new perspectives back to the local community. In previous years, artists have travelled to Marrakech (2025) and Havana (2023).
You can read more about past bursary recipients and their journeys here:
- Zakia Chowdhury – Marrakech, Morocco (2025)
- Mary Feliciano– Havana, Cuba (2023)
This year’s bursary funds a defined period of solo travel to Trinidad and Tobago to undertake creative research, build connections, and develop new work. We are looking for artists who can show clarity of intent: what they want to explore in Trinidad and Tobago, why it matters to their practice, and how they will share learning back in North Kensington.
North Kensington is home to rich Caribbean cultural heritage. The Notting Hill Carnival has strong Trinidadian influence, including early Trinidadian-led carnival organising and contributions to traditions such as steelpan and mas that helped shape the carnival’s identity. This bursary uses that context to support meaningful cultural exchange, helping an artist develop work that strengthens connectivity, belonging and community pride in North Kensington.
This bursary is a structured, proposal-led opportunity. Applicants must present a clear and considered proposal, supported by examples of their work, outlining how they intend to use their time on the trip and how learning will be shared with the North Kensington community on return.
What the bursary covers
- Return travel to Trinidad and Tobago
- Accommodation for the agreed period
- A contribution towards living costs (food/local transport)
- Travel and medical insurance cover
Examples of costs not covered include (but are not limited to):
- Art materials or equipment purchases
- Additional travel outside the agreed itinerary
- Personal expenses such as clothing or non-essential purchases
The bursary is intended to support travel and artistic exploration and is not a paid placement.
Who we fund (eligibility)
Applicants must:
- Be aged 18 or over.
- Be a North Kensington resident, or demonstrate a strong ongoing connection through work, practice, or regular community involvement.
- Work across visual, literary or related interdisciplinary artistic practices.
- Have an established body of work evidenced through a portfolio submission.
- Hold a valid passport and be able to travel internationally.
- Be confident undertaking solo travel, demonstrating resilience and self-sufficiency.
How to apply
- Apply via the online application form.
- You’ll be asked to upload: a PDF portfolio (max 15 pages), a copy of your passport ID page, and a CV (optional).
Applications will be reviewed against the assessment criteria outlined in the Application Guidelines and shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview.
Key information
The selected artist retains full intellectual property rights in any work created. Westway Trust retains non-exclusive rights to reproduce and promote documentation and outcomes related to the bursary, with appropriate credit.
The offer of a bursary is conditional on eligibility checks, confirmation of travel readiness, and signing a Participation Agreement.
- Open to: Artists aged 18 or over with a connection to North Kensington
- Application Deadline: Monday 13 April 2026
- Interviews: 20 April – 30 April 2026
- Trip window: July 2026 – March 2027 (exact dates to be agreed with the selected artist)
- Contact: artsandculture@westway.org
Key Info
Application Deadline:
5pm on Monday 13 April 2026
Trip window:
July 2026 - March 2027
Open to:
Artists aged 18 or over with a connection to North Kensington