Transforming Plastic Into Art
How Future Makers Can Help Artists Work with Recycled Plastic and Secure Funding
If you’re an artist looking for a way to make your creative practice more sustainable, we know how important funding can be. At Future Makers, we’ve successfully secured £150,000 of funding from Arts Council England and Innovate UK, and we’re helping artists do the same. We understand what makes a strong application and how to position your work for funding success.
Making the shift to sustainable materials can feel daunting. Working with recycled plastic is new territory for many artists, and it comes with challenges: where to source materials, how to process them, and how to develop techniques that align with your artistic vision. That’s why we’re here - to provide the guidance, expertise, and resources you need to integrate sustainability into your practice without compromising on creativity.
Artists We’ve Worked With
Many of the artists we’ve collaborated with have secured Arts Council England or Innovate UK funding, enabling them to develop innovative projects using recycled plastic. Here are just a few examples:
Katharina Fitz, Ripple at Broadway Cinema, May 2024 - present
Ben Parry, Artist, Plastic Pavilion - Future Makers, February 2024 - present
Bruce Asbestos, Artist, Monster Fun at Lakeside Arts - August - September 2024
Tom Mortlock, Artist, Bioilluminate - St Marys Church, Nottingham Light Night 2025
Image Credit: Tom Platinum Morley
These artists have explored new creative possibilities with recycled plastic, demonstrating that sustainability and artistic excellence can go hand in hand. Their inspiring projects showcase how artists can embrace circular materials while creating impactful, thought-provoking work. We’re incredibly proud to have supported their journeys and we’d love to support yours too!
How We Can Help You
At Future Makers, we provide materials and expertise AND we help artists navigate funding opportunities like Arts Council England’s Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP) fund. If you’re thinking about applying, here’s how we can support you:
1. Overcoming Barriers to Working with Recycled Plastic
We understand that sustainability in art isn’t just about good intentions - it’s about having the right skills, tools, and materials. Our Waste Plastic Studio is designed to help artists experiment with recycled plastic, offering hands-on support to develop new techniques and integrate sustainable materials into their work.
2. Crafting a Strong Funding Application
Applying for funding can be overwhelming, but we’ve been through it ourselves and know what works. We can help you refine your ideas, articulate your project goals, and structure your application in a way that aligns with funders’ priorities.
3. Access to a Collaborative Network
Collaboration is often a key factor in successful funding applications. Whether you need technical advice, production support, or connections with other artists, Future Makers can introduce you to a thriving community of creatives who share your passion for sustainability.
4. Showcasing Sustainability as Innovation
Arts Council England and Innovate UK recognise the importance of sustainability in contemporary art. By working with us, you can position your practice at the forefront of this movement, making your application stand out by demonstrating your commitment to innovative, eco-conscious creativity.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re interested in exploring how Future Makers can help you integrate recycled plastic into your practice—and potentially secure funding for your work - we’d love to hear from you. Email us today or join our mailing list, and let’s start turning waste into something extraordinary together.
Join us in shaping the future of sustainable art!