What's new at AA2A
Spring update 2026
Creative Futures: real advice for arts students from industry
What does it actually look like to build a career in the creative industries right now? That was the question at the heart of this year’s AA2A Creative Futures online seminar series - and the conversations have been very honest.
This year, we changed the format and invited participants to suggest the topics for discussion. Unsurprisingly, “How do I get started after graduation?” topped the list. Across the series which ran from November to March, a brilliant line-up of industry voices shared insight on everything from starting out as a freelancer to managing money, building a brand, finding opportunities and navigating employment or self-employment.
With over 140 attendees joining across the series, it’s clear there’s a real appetite for practical, experience-led advice.
What our attendees said:
‘... good to get advice from people who are closer in age to myself as they have a more relatable and applicable experience, especially when it comes to getting a foot in the industry’ - student, Loughborough University
‘Really good to consider how transferable skills can be applied to arts jobs’ - student, University of Sunderland
‘I think these seminars are a really valuable resource for students looking to apply their degree in real world contexts’ - student, Loughborough University
Anyone who would like access to the recordings on our Youtube channel, contact us: info@aa2a.org
Residency updates
It might feel like things are just getting started, but many of our artist residencies are already over halfway through. We’ve loved seeing works-in-progress unfold - especially via Instagram, where artists are sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses into their process.
We’re seeing a growing number of collaboration requests coming through - always a good sign of connection and momentum building.
Seeking new hosts
At AA2A, we actively welcome partnerships with universities and colleges interested in enriching student experience and employability outcomes. Alongside our established artist residency programmes, we offer a range of practical, employability-focused opportunities designed to help students make a confident move into the world of work. Through AA2A, students can meet and learn directly from practicing artists, hear honest insights into different career journeys and start to understand what working in the creative sector really looks like. These experiences fit easily into careers and professional development modules, adding real-world context to academic learning and helping students build confidence, awareness, and direction for their future.
If you work in further or higher education and you’re looking to strengthen your students’ employability and bring industry insight into your courses, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch to explore how we can work together - info@aa2a.org
Image: Rosie Preston, AA2A Student Ambassador, New City College, London
Meet the AA2A Student Ambassadors
This year we’re working with 24 AA2A Student Ambassadors across our partner universities and colleges. From Fine Art to Photography, Illustration to Graphic Design, they represent a wide spectrum of creative talent.
Ambassadors receive online 1:1 mentoring with the AA2A team, a dedicated profile on our website, guaranteed access to seminars and opportunities to publish writing via our Substack newsletter.
Some of our ambassadors have only recently joined us, so we’ve extended the deadline for our photo/video competition to Friday 17 April - giving students and artists a bit more time to get involved.
Spring has finally arrived, and at AA2A it marks that in-between moment where reflection meets anticipation - as we look back on this year’s schemes while beginning to shape what comes next. Over the summer, we’ll be hosting an online Q&A for artists interested in applying for a residency, and we’re excited to continue building strong partnerships with a fantastic group of education institutions in the coming academic year.