The Mick Bateman Memorial Award

In 2022, the artistic community suffered a profound loss with the unexpected passing of Mick Bateman, a dedicated artist and sculptor. Mick’s absence is deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing him. We fondly remember his boundless energy, his boundless creativity, and, most of all, his unwavering belief in and encouragement of others.

Mick was an artist sculptor who worked primarily in metal. He had a studio with Bow Arts for over thirteen years, during which time he grew and established his practice. He was a generous artist and a significant figure within our community. He wore many hats over his time, including Director of the London Comedy Festival and Director of Crisis at Christmas.

Eventually in 2010 he set up the Bermondsey Project on behalf of Crisis and in partnership with Bow Arts. The project provided an art college focused on supporting ex-homeless people, a contemporary art gallery and a cinema, as well as supporting the creation of the London Sculpture Workshop. Next to the project, Bow Arts managed over 150 affordable artist studios in the same complex.

When the lease ended in 2015, Mick decided to leave London and re-established himself in Lisbon, Portugal where his influence as a sculptor grew even more. Today, you can see many of his amazing creations dotted all around the city.

Mick always supported and believed in helping people, and it is with this in mind that his family would like his legacy to emulate his attitude to life.

What is the Mick Bateman Memorial Award?

The Mick Bateman Memorial Award is a new award set up with specific intention to support and encourage emerging artists working in metal. 

Each award offers:

• Two years of financial support towards the whole cost of a professional artist studio at Bow Arts. The award is up to a maximum of £2,000 in any one year.
• Up to £1,000 (equivalent to 8 days) access to courses and/or workshop time in the London Sculpture Workshop. 

London Sculpture Workshop provides high quality facilities for anyone who wants to make in 3D – offering an extensive range of professional level short courses taught by practising artists.  These cover a wide range of techniques including bronze casting, metalwork, mould making and woodworking. This partnership offers the award winner valuable access to professional equipment and expert advice.

Applications are welcome from all artists. If you do not have a studio at Bow Arts already, offers will be subject to a suitable space becoming available.  

The individual awards will be selected by a panel drawn from Bow Arts and London Sculpture Workshop on behalf of the family.

Deadline:  12:00pm, Monday 3rd June
Notification: Applicants will be notified on submission of upcoming selection dates. The selection of the first Mick Bateman Memorial Award will take place in early June 2024.

Before applying, please read the terms and conditions below.

More about Bow Arts Trust

Since 1994, Bow Arts has nurtured London’s diverse creativity and talent, providing artists and creatives with affordable workspace and connecting them with local communities and opportunities. Read more on our about page.

More about London Sculpture Workshop

London Sculpture Workshop was founded to meet the need for accessible, inclusive, affordable, high-quality facilities for anyone who wants to make in 3D (including those outside the formal FE/HE education system). A founder partner for 2 years was CRISIS, developing a specially tailored education programme for their clients.

LSW is ambitious and committed to inclusivity and is driven to contribute to the community. LSW has always prided itself in its inclusivity, providing opportunities to artists and makers of all abilities and backgrounds, and providing them with the highest quality facilities and expertise through all our strands of education and development programmes.