Creative Culture Trust CIO

APPLY‍ ‍NOW FOR SEPTEMBER 2026

Best Practice is a new independent contemporary art course developed in partnership with Creative Culture Trust, Breeze Creatives, The Courtauld, and Barbour Foundation.

Best Practice is an intensive arts programme designed for emerging artists at all stages who are ready to deepen their practice, expand their critical engagement, and build a strong foundation for future study or professional work in the arts. Minimum course length is 1 year with part time options; participants are welcome to extend course length for as many years as suits their individual journey. Bursary places are available to help cover a percentage of the fees for artists who need financial assistance with thanks to the Barbour Foundation.

Associate Membership [B.pA.M] is also available for a monthly membership fee. Associate members can access one monthly tutorial with full access to artists talks and site visits. For more information and full costings and course breakdown see links below:
Places are limited, apply before August 17th for September 2026

Course Information (PDF 5mb)
Sign up for more information.

Forsake Madness
Open Day; 24 March 11-5pm
Preview; 25 March 6-8pm
Exhibition continues 25-28 March 10-4pm
Moving Gallery, 27 Fawcett St, SR1 1RE

Join us to celebrate an interim exhibition of current students work and ask questions about the course and how it could help develop your practice.

Best Practice is delivered by visual artist - Graham Dolphin
Graham has been exhibiting internationally and teaching further education
for over 25 years.

His work has been featured in exhibitions at BALTIC, National Portrait Gallery, ICA, Barbican, EMMA, Kiasma, NGCA, DCA, Turner Contemporary, with his work held in the collections of mima, Winter Gardens and Museum, Zabludowicz Art Trust, David Roberts and many private collections.

Working across multiple mediums; film, sound, drawing, object, photography, curatorial and he has taught at many universities including Newcastle, Northumbria, Teeside, University of the West of England, Bath Spa.

Artists talk with artist/designer Maria Cooper

Practice development - regular group crits

Tour of the Ro Robertsons - The Ribs Begin to Rise, NGCA, Sunderlnad

Regular artists talks - glass artists Zac Weinberg

Studio visits - Michael Davison - Ceramics and glass studio - JMC

Wokshops - Thrown Together Pottery, Sunderland

Student Interim exhibition - Abject Gallery, Sunderland

Industry introductions - Sleep___Well, JMC

Artists studio visits - Norwegian painter Ragna

Visit to North East Photography Network - Amanda Riston

Artist visit to Baltic, artist/ceramicist Qi Fang Colbert

Curators tour, NGCA, Smoke and Mirrors exhibition

Artists visit - glass artist - Joanna Manousis

FAQs

Where and what is Best Practice?

1

Best Practice is a contemporary visual arts development course based in Sunderland. Best Practice is an intensive programme designed for emerging artists ready to deepen their practice, expand their critical engagement, and build a strong foundation for future study or professional work in the arts. Minimum course length is 1 year which part time options available. Participants are welcome to remain on the course for one or more to suit their individual journey.

Can I join in elements of Best Practice without having to join the course or take a studio?

2

Yes, thats what we have an associate membership scheme, this allows artists to access the teaching elements without the commitment of a studio. Best Practice has been designed to be flexible as we understand that a rigid format does not suit every artist and that some artists may wish to dip in and out. In light of this weekly crits and talks can be joined for a one off payment, for more information email: mail@best-practice.uk

How many artists are enrolled on the studio programme each year?

3

Best Practice can take up to 15 full time students each year, the small cohort is the key to the time needed to help develop each artist to their full potential.

How is the course structured?

4

The course is structured much like a foundation course that introduces students to initial projects for ideas generation and then follows the format of studio time, weekly crits and weekly gallery visits, helping students to understand the context in which they are making new work. Each month a visiting lecturer or talk will take place and bi monthly workshops are organised to introduce students to new skills. Every 3 months an interim show is organised and students work towards a final exhibition when they feel that their journey is complete. Final shows take place every 6 months.

Is there a workshop/technician?

5

There is no workshop or technician and individuals are required to provide their own materials and tools to enable them to make work. Staff are onsite 3- 5 days per week and are easily contactable via phone and email.

How many days can I be in the studio?

Once enrolled, the studios are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

We recognise most artists will have work or family responsibilities, however, we generally expect our students to be in the studios for a minimum of 3 days per week. Undertaking the programme is a commitment that shouldn’t be underestimated and we discuss how best to get the most out of the programme with all shortlisted applicants at interview.

Can I work part-time and still do the course?