Fruit Factory Network

Supporting emerging visual artists

The Fruit Factory Network (FFN) was a Humber Street Gallery initiative that promoted and supported visual artists based in Hull and East Riding. This professional development course aimed to export early-career artists to four cities across the UK from 2019 – 2020.

The programme has been centered around visits to some of the UK’s visual art hubs, museums, galleries, residency programmes and artist-run spaces to showcase leading examples, as well as connecting artists from Hull with arts professionals working across the country.

Each off-site activity was followed by gatherings at the gallery to discuss and review outcomes in “Advice Surgeries” led by the Humber Street Gallery team and industry experts.

What did FFN members gain?

By equipping participants with an awareness of what has been achieved elsewhere and integrating them into a national creative network, this programme sought to build their aspirations and raise the benchmark for visual art in Hull.

The culmination of the project is currently being held at the gallery, with Practice In Place; a group exhibition involving the participants which was developed during the programme.

FFN is delivered by Humber Street Gallery, with partnership support by Hull College, Back To Ours and IVE.