(M)Other Matters: Creative Research Group
About the programme
(M)Other Matters is a six-month creative research programme bringing together four bereaved artists whose experience of maternal grief is woven into their practice alongside the other concerns they explore.
The programme creates conditions for artists to deepen their practice and research, and to explore what creative practice can express, whether being seen and heard requires verbalisation, and what it means to bring personal inquiry, in whatever form we wish, into public spaces. It offers a space to investigate these questions and more, safely and honestly.
Each artist will receive: £1,025 fee, a travel allowance, accommodation & per diems (for two Bristol event days)
Who this programme is for
Artists whose work engages with living with the loss of a child, and who are drawn to the question driving this research: ‘How do we express this loss – and what happens if we do?’ We encourage applications from artists working in any medium – visual art, performance, writing, video, photography – and across all communities, including disabled and LGBTQ+ artists.
Please note: this is a creative research programme for artists who are making work about the loss of a child. It is not a peer support group. If you have lost a child and are looking for support, the Good Grief Festival has gathered a comprehensive list of articles, books, videos and organisations that can help:
https://www.goodgrieffest.com/resources/the-death-of-a-child/
What’s involved
Led by Helen Acklam (www.helenacklam.com) and delivered in partnership with Yewande 103 (www.yewande103.com), the programme runs online from December 2026 to May 2027, with two public events in Bristol in spring 2027.
Together, the group will:
- meet online to share practice and research, reflect on work and ideas, and build mutual support (5 meetings across 5 months).
- co-curate and present existing work at Centrespace Gallery, Bristol – professionally filmed, photographed and documented by a videographer, photographer and arts writer, creating material for a new collective screening.
- attend a Screening Event of works with artist Q&A at Arnolfini Theatre, Bristol, in collaboration with the Good Grief Festival, premiering 17 April 2027.
- develop new networks and research connections that will sustain the work and research beyond the programme.
- produce a publication reflecting the programme’s process and work.
The dates – applications are a commitment to ALL dates.
14 December – online meeting (2 hours)
11 January – online meeting (2 hours)
1 February – online meeting (2 hours)
22 March – online meeting (2 hours)
10 May – online meeting (2 hours)
12 March – co-curate and present work at Centrespace Gallery, Bristol
17 April – Public Screening Event at Arnolfini Theatre, Good Grief Festival, Bristol
Overnight stay available on 12 March and 17 April, if required.
How to apply
Deadline: 26 October 2026.
Application form, and any questions, to: mothermatterscrg@gmail.com
Artists will be selected by a panel together with Abi Obene, Curatorial Coordinator at the Burton at Bideford (https://www.burtonartgallery.co.uk/) and Lesel Dawson, Good Grief Festival (https://www.goodgrieffest.com). Applicants will be notified by 13 November.
Download theapplication form or email any questions to mothermatterscrg@gmail.com
Supported using public funding by Arts Council England
