• Develop your passion for visual arts with expertise from artists, sector leaders and our staff
• Learn how to devise a learning programme
• Develop a community of peer support with people who share your interest in the arts
• Develop your art-making and critical skills
• Gain experience in organising and curating an exhibition or event at the Barbican
• Build confidence in your voice and opinions about your passion
• Gain invaluable knowledge of work across a range of roles in the arts sector

• Be mentored and supported by some of the most creative and innovative people working in the visual arts. Past mentors and guests have included Mark Leckey, Ellie Pennick and Antonio Roberts.
• Manage and curate an exhibition or event by the end of the programme.
• Build a network of young creatives.
• You'll meet in person or online 2-3 times a month from October to April. These sessions will include regular group workshops and meetings, as well as artist-led activities and event-planning sessions with the Barbican Marketing, Digital, Curatorial and Production teams. Towards the end of the programme, the number of meetings increases as the group prepares its exhibition or event.

• Aged 16-25
• Be available and based in the London area for two years
• Have a passion for the visual arts
• Be open-minded, enthusiastic, ready to try something new and challenge yourself
• Enjoy and thrive working as part of a team
• Be committed to the programme
• No need for prior qualifications

• Applications are now closed.
• Note: you are welcome to submit a film/audio recording of your answers to the four questions which ask you to talk about yourself and why you would benefit from this programme in the form
• If you have any other special access requirements relating to the application process or programme, please get in touch! Email [email protected] with ‘Barbican Young Visual Arts Group’ in the subject line

You must be a Young Barbican member to apply. Sign up now for free to Young Barbican. 

If there is a financial reason that would prevent you from participating in this programme, we have a bursary fund available that can assist in covering the cost of travel, childcare, Wi-Fi or other costs that would prevent your application or participation.

Download the bursary scheme guidance

Download the bursary scheme guidance in large print

Barbican Young Visual Arts Group sessions will run at the Barbican Centre or online via Zoom on two Wednesday or Thursday evenings a month (6:30-9pm) and one Saturday every 1-2 months (11am-4pm) from October 2021 – May 2022.

• The Young Visual Art Group will run at the Barbican Centre, when Public Health England and Barbican Centre policy allows this, and we’d expect participants to be available to attend in person.
• However, some sessions might be run online if public health guidance changes. We will aim to be as flexible as possible, recognising some participants might have particular COVID-related health or social reasons for not always being able to attend in person, with exceptions considered for those who may require alternative arrangements due to (mental and/or physical) health concerns – we’ll aim to be as flexible as possible.
• Please read the Barbican’s Essential Safety Information page for the latest measures we have in place.
• If we are required to adhere to a lockdown or increased social distancing measures, we will review the programme and consider how best to adapt this for online delivery within the schedule.