SIGNAL’s Artist Development Lab is part of broad programme run by the grassroots arts charity to deliver high quality, inclusive creative learning opportunities that promote and advance education in the arts in Barrow-in-Furness, one of the most acutely deprived and culturally underserved communities in England.
In a remote town heavily dominated by the nuclear defence industry, the year-round programme of free visual arts, film and heritage activities at SIGNAL’s public centre for creative participation is unique for its population of 58,000 for whom the nearest similar venue is more than an hour’s drive away. Participants in the Artist Development Lab benefit from a supportive structure and reflexive design rooted in tailored mentoring by experts in skills development sessions that result in a group exhibition in the venue’s gallery space.
The programme’s success in democratising access to art, in particular for underrepresented and marginalised working-class artists, is evident in the outcomes for participants, with three of the 15-strong 2025 cohort securing Arts Council England funding to continue developing their practice.
Spotlight: SIGNAL
Freelands Awards 2026 Winner
This Freelands Awards 2026 winner was selected for its Artist Development Lab – a programme developing artists through workshops, expert mentoring and exhibition making.
"To win one of the Freelands Awards 2026 is the most exciting moment in our journey so far and an unparalleled endorsement of our work, coming as it does from such a prominent, committed and passionate champion of the arts.
Our Artist Development Lab programme has enabled many people, in a region with multiple social and geographical challenges, to believe that a career as an artist is possible.
This Award will give us the confidence to continue championing the importance of the arts in everybody’s lives, and to move our programme forward at a time when funding is more stretched than ever."
About SIGNAL
SIGNAL is a grassroots arts charity established in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, in 2008. They deliver high quality, inclusive creative opportunities in one of the most deprived wards, in one of the most deprived and culturally underserved towns in England. SIGNAL believes everyone deserves equal access to culture and strives to break down barriers to participation through an inspirational, year-round programme of free digital arts, film, heritage and creative learning that’s open to all. Its venue, Cooke’s Studios, is a vibrant, nurturing arts space where they collaborate with the most underserved groups in the community to deliver bespoke activities that respond to the unique challenges residents face in hoping to enjoy, participate and work in the arts in a distinctive, remote part of England.
Since 2016, SIGNAL have developed their Artist Development Lab to meet the need for supportive activities that would spur ambition, stimulate collaboration and establish a sense of community among isolated new and emerging artists in Barrow and Cumbria. The 2024-25 Artist Development Lab was an ambitious, intensive two-year project that helped 15 local emerging artists to expand their practice, exhibit work and gain funding whilst overcoming multiple, unique challenges that impede residents’ ability to have a professional arts career.
About the Freelands Awards
The Freelands Awards champion and celebrate UK visual art organisations’ commitment to art education.
Launched in 2026, every year, three winning organisations will each receive £100,000 for a recent or ongoing project demonstrating commitment to progressive art education approaches with a demonstrable impact.
Across the last decade of working in art education, Freelands Foundation has seen visual art organisations, such as galleries and museums, as spaces for inspiring progressive art education offerings for all. Despite the increasing pressures they face, these organisations continue as sites for teaching and learning. Many embrace art education practices that are as diverse as the communities they work with.
The Freelands Awards are an opportunity to widely recognise, support and share inspiring art education work that may not always find the spotlight. Over the next five years, Freelands Foundation will commit £1.5 million for the Awards as a central part of its mission to champion art education.