AHRC Focal Award – Art History, Visual Arts and Creative Practice

Funding to recruit and train doctoral students through a doctoral focal award in art history, visual arts and creative practice.

The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) seeks to unlock the potential of art history, visual arts and creative practice by capitalising on wide-ranging opportunities to exploit new technologies and contribute to the cultural and creative sectors. This focal opportunity will develop high-level skills and innovation capacity to contribute to the UK’s growth and prosperity.

AHRC is seeking future-facing doctoral research and training combining disciplinary depth with forward-looking professional relevance which builds on our growing portfolio in the creative industries, creative economy and infrastructure. It will be explicitly creative and cultural sector-facing and attuned to emerging skills needs in museums, galleries, heritage, creative industries, digital collections, and cultural leadership. It will enable students to apply innovative techniques in their research and to develop the knowledge and skills to open career opportunities in cultural and creative sectors and wider professions, as well as academia. They may develop skills for cultural management, curation, digital innovation, and policy engagement, relevant to the sector. Students will be equipped to engage confidently with practice-led, policy-facing, and entrepreneurial contexts where visual and material cultures shape public understanding, innovation, and economic growth.

This focal award will contribute to The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy: Creative Industries Sector Plan to deliver a high quality workforce that is responsive to the needs of the Creative Industries and increase the productivity, resilience and diversity of the workforce, including creative freelancers.