Hesketh Hubbard Bursaries | Apply Now

An interview with Kate Towsey, Exhibitions Coordinator at Mall Galleries, on the Hesketh Hubbard Art Society and its life drawing bursaries for young artists.

Founded in 1930 and originally known as the RBA Drawing Club, the Hesketh Hubbard Art Society was created to address a shortage of life drawing opportunities. The Society brings together amateur and professional artists who come to draw from a range of models on an almost weekly basis. With over 120 members, it is one of London's largest life drawing groups. Their untutored sessions allow artists to explore their own artistic styles and develop their skills in depicting the human form. 

Members are not restricted by style or medium. The Society embraces diversity and welcomes new members throughout the year. Their two hour sessions, with a break for tea and biscuits, offer a relaxed atmosphere for artists to meet and exchange ideas all while developing the key skill of drawing.

The bursaries offer a unique opportunity for those aged 18 to 30 with limited access to life and portrait drawing sessions to attend sessions for free during 2025. There, artists work from a range of models and challenging poses to help develop their practice in new directions. Being part of the Hesketh Hubbard community allows the winners to learn from the styles, techniques and approaches of members.

Beyond technical growth, the bursaries also offer informal mentoring and networking opportunities. Immersing themselves in this supportive environment, the bursary winners can expect to develop confidence in their work as well as a sense of direction for their practice beyond the sessions. 

We are looking for young artists with a commitment to drawing from life. Applicants should be curious about the human form and able to explain the ways that the bursary will benefit their practice. 

Drawing is subjective and not necessarily about capturing an accurate depiction of the world. I am particularly interested in applicants who present individual styles and challenge the boundaries of drawing. I am hoping to see your enthusiasm for working in this way and what drawing means to you. 

If you are keen to take full advantage of this opportunity to experiment, grow and engage with the Hesketh Hubbard Art Society, please apply!