A new micro-funding initiative is now available, designed especially for low-income, early-career creatives to undertake research pilgrimages to exhibitions, artworks, and inspiring arts events throughout the Midlands.
About Pilgrim’s Art Postcard (PAP)
Pilgrim’s Art Postcard Collection (PAP) is a grassroots initiative designed to support low-income, early-career creatives across the Midlands. Through PAP, creatives receive funding to cover minor travel and subsistence expenses, making it easier to visit exhibitions, artworks, and other inspiring arts events that might otherwise be out of reach.
An initiative of No Jobs in the Arts—a not-for-profit community interest company devoted to nurturing emerging talent in the visual arts—PAP is born from accumulated savings and the generosity of our community. To kick things off, No Jobs in the Arts has allocated an initial £250 to PAP. We now invite you to help sustain and expand PAP by contributing towards our fundraising goal of raising an additional £250.
Follow our creative journeys on Instagram and Facebook, where we’ll share highlights and documentation from successful artistic pilgrimages. Donors will also receive exclusive email updates detailing the impact of their support.
Information follows on this page for 2025 PAP applicants (scroll down).
What could PAP applicants receive?
Successful applicants can receive up to £25 to support the expenses related to their art pilgrimage. This funding is designed to cover the complete cost of your proposed journey and may be used for:
- Travel: Covering transportation costs within tor around the Midlands: the central area of England.
- Subsistence: Including food, drinks, and other essential costs incurred during your travels.
- Admission Fees: Paying for entry to exhibitions, galleries, or other arts events.
- Pilgrimage Documentation: Purchasing a postcard, or the materials to make one, and a 2nd class stamp to document and share your journey with No Jobs in the Arts and its community.
Important Notes:
- Value for Money: Our aim is to maximise the fund’s reach, ensuring that every pound spent offers the best value to support as many pilgrims as we can.
- Complete Journey Only: The PAP fund is meant to finance the entire planned itinerary. It cannot be used for expenses incurred retrospectively.
- Sustainable Travel: We encourage eco-friendly travel options wherever possible.
Who can apply to PAP?
Early-career creatives working in a visual arts discipline—whether you are working, studying, living, making, or visiting in or around the Midlands (the central part of England)—are invited to apply. No Jobs in the Arts does not use a single standard to define what constitutes an “early-career creative,” nor do we means-test income. It is entirely up to you to decide if this opportunity and exploring the Midlands would benefit your creative journey.
Award Limits: Successful applicants are eligible to receive only one grant award from PAP. If you are not successful in a particular round, you are welcome to re-apply in future rounds.
Tax Responsibilities: Successful applicants are responsible for managing their own tax affairs and payments with HM Revenue and Customs. If you receive benefits or any other form of financial support, it is your responsibility to check whether the grant may affect your entitlements or payments.
When to apply to PAP?
Submissions for PAP open and close based on the availability of funds and the number of applications received. When submissions are open, an application form will be available at the bottom of this page. We will announce the opening of submissions first through the No Jobs in the Arts newsletter.
Call to Action: PAP relies on donations to continue its vital work in supporting early-career creatives. Please help ensure this initiative can go on by sharing our fundraiser.
How to apply to PAP?
When the fund is open, simply complete the application form provided at the bottom of this page. Your submission should include:
- Pilgrimage Overview: A concise 50-word outline of your proposed pilgrimage.
- Dates: The day(s) your pilgrimage will take place.
- Cost Breakdown: A rough account of the anticipated expenses.
- Contact Details: Your basic contact information.
- Creative Link: A supporting link that showcases your creative practice.
What has any of this got to do with a Postcard?
No Jobs in the Arts is committed to enhancing the presence of early-career creatives in archives and collections. To capture the spirit of your journeys, we propose purchasing a commemorative postcard on your journey, which when sent to us will form the basis of a unique PAP collection.
Historically, postcards served as tangible keepsakes during long journeys—a reflective pause and personal memento shared between adventures. In the same spirit, this initiative encourages emerging artists to transform their creative pilgrimages into thoughtful records of their experiences.
While sending a postcard to No Jobs in the Arts is optional, we highly encourage both successful and unsuccessful applicants to participate, documenting their pilgrimages. This simple act not only offers a moment for self-reflection but also contributes to a lasting legacy of creative endeavors within our community.
What Happens After You Submit Your Application?
Once you submit your application to PAP, the team at No Jobs in the Arts will carefully review your submission and contact you with the outcome as soon as possible. Please allow up to four weeks for notification. We appreciate your patience as we work through each application.
What if applicants are unsuccessful to PAP?
After you submit your application, the No Jobs in the Arts team will review it and inform you of the outcome, usually within six weeks.
What Happens If Your Application Is Successful?
Successful applicants will be expected to:
- Submit Documentation: Provide receipts and an invoice for all expenses covered.
- Optional Reporting: Optionally send a postcard to No Jobs in the Arts reporting on your pilgrimage.
- Timely Submission: Ensure that both the receipts and your report are submitted within one month of completing your trip.
This information enables us to share your creative journey with our online community and supporters.
If applicants need help with PAP?
If applicants have any questions about The Pilgrim’s Art Postcard Fund, please contact the No Jobs in the Arts team.
Application Form for the Pilgrim’s Art Postcard (PAP):
To be the first to know when PAP submissions open, please sign up to the newsletter.
If applicants have any issues with this form, or would like to make a submission in an alternative format (video/audio), please contact the No Jobs in the Arts team.