Samuel Ross announces fourth chapter of Black British Artist Grant Programme
Awarding Black British talent across design disciplines, this week designer Samuel Ross of A-Cold-Wall* launches the latest edition of his artist grant programme which is accepting applications now
Samuel Ross, the British designer behind London-based label A-Cold-Wall*, has this week announced the fourth instalment of The Samuel Ross Black British Artist Grant Programme, which awards rising Black British talent across various design and creative disciplines – from art to industrial design, fashion to architecture.
Inaugurated in 2020, the programme first emerged in response to international civil rights protests following the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police that May. ‘We need more visibility and collaboration between the arts and design institution and Black artists, the design industry must engage,’ Ross told Wallpaper* in June 2020. In the time since, 30 grants have been distributed – spanning writers, sculptors, filmmakers, furniture and fashion designers, and those working in VR – with notable recipients including furniture designer Mac Collins, photographer Ronan Mckenzie and architect Dominique Petit-Frère (of Limbo Accra).
The programme itself comprises a number of £2,500 grants in support of the various recipients’ ongoing work; alongside, those chosen receive mentorship from Ross and an advisory board, which numbers both design luminaries and representatives from some of Britain’s leading institutions, including the Royal College of Art, V&A East, the British Fashion Council, the University of Westminster and the Design Museum.
The Samuel Ross Black British Artist Grant Programme 2022
‘We’re missing perspectives, contributions and creativity that level beyond commercial virtue placements, score sheets and influencer fees,’ Ross said in a foreword to the 2021 edition, which selected ten grant recipients last August. ‘Already a reality amongst the marginalised, barely visible – often invisible – communities that form Britain’s modern society, it seems implausible to not embed a layer of structure and coordination to begin changing this reality, step by step, year on year.’
As such, this ‘fourth chapter’ continues the expansion of the programme, inviting fellow fashion designer Grace Wales Bonner to join the advisory board as guest advisor, as well as Dr Gus Casely-Hayford, an art historian, broadcaster and director of V&A East. ‘I’m excited about seeing the level of talent we can support this year,’ says Wales Bonner in a statement. The programme aims to provide ‘tangible, material change’, giving grant winners ‘the necessary tools and strategies to propel them over the long-term’ and creating a ‘robust infrastructure, one that supports meaningful, collaborative connections between community and industry, integrating Black British talent across the creative landscape,’ as the notes describe.
Those wishing to be considered for the programme can at apply at community.samuel-ross.com from now until 29 August 2022.
INFORMATION
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Jack Moss is the Fashion Features Editor at Wallpaper*, joining the team in 2022. Having previously been the digital features editor at AnOther and digital editor at 10 and 10 Men magazines, he has also contributed to titles including i-D, Dazed, 10 Magazine, Mr Porter’s The Journal and more, while also featuring in Dazed: 32 Years Confused: The Covers, published by Rizzoli. He is particularly interested in the moments when fashion intersects with other creative disciplines – notably art and design – as well as championing a new generation of international talent and reporting from international fashion weeks. Across his career, he has interviewed the fashion industry’s leading figures, including Rick Owens, Pieter Mulier, Jonathan Anderson, Grace Wales Bonner, Christian Lacroix, Kate Moss and Manolo Blahnik.
-
RIBA House of the Year 2024: browse the shortlist and pick your favourite
The RIBA House of the Year 2024 shortlist is out, celebrating homes across the UK: it's time to place your bets. Which will win the top gong?
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Community Edition taps into the brand's creative followers
The unconventional features of Nothing Phone (2a)’s new limited edition come from a community-driven project to reshape the style and ethos of the smartphone
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
What is the sound of Stone Island? A new musical project helps you find out
Stone Island Sound is a new, evolving music project from the Italian label, seeing contributions from John Glacier, Yaeji and more across playlists and live performances
By Jack Moss Published
-
Celine Saint Honoré is dedicated to Hedi Slimane’s feats of savoir-faire and craft
The Celine store on Rue Saint-Honoré is designed to capture the spirit of Paris, showcasing the house’s most precious offering. Here, Wallpaper* captures Celine’s couture, Haute Maroquinerie and Haute Parfumerie collections in the luxurious space
By Jack Moss Published
-
Exhibition to explore the Bloomsbury Group through fashion
Supported by Dior, Charleston’s ‘Bring No Clothes’ explores the Bloomsbury Group’s use of – and influence on – fashion, featuring works by Dior, Fendi, Comme des Garçons and more, alongside original clothing and ephemera
By Jack Moss Published
-
Summer games, from pétanque to pool floats, get a fashionable spin
From a luxurious pétanque set to pool floats and playing cards, summer games and toys from the world’s best-known fashion houses
By Jack Moss Published
-
Canada Goose and Central Saint Martins celebrate next-generation changemakers in new London exhibition
‘Keeping the Planet Cold’ – running from 17-21 February 2023 at London’s Lethaby Gallery – celebrates exceptional BA and MA fashion students in the field of sustainable and purpose-driven design
By Jack Moss Published
-
Mud pits to giant flowers, the best runway sets of S/S 2023
The most transporting show sets of the S/S 2023 season, from Demna’s pit of mud at Balenciaga to a giant fibreglass anthurium flower at Loewe
By Jack Moss Last updated
-
New short film takes you behind the scenes at Margaret Howell
A Working Space provides a behind-the-scenes look at 34 Wigmore Street, Margaret Howell’s London headquarters, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year
By Jack Moss Last updated
-
In Memoriam: Issey Miyake (1938 – 2022)
We remember fashion designer Issey Miyake, who has died aged 84
By Jack Moss Last updated
-
At rising label Ester Manas, one size fits all
‘It’s for a woman who really wants to be seen,’ says Ester Manas of her eponymous label, designed alongside partner Balthazar Delepierre, which is creating sensually minded clothing for women of all sizes
By Jack Moss Last updated