I would use the funding to develop Common Ground — a new body of work exploring land, class, community cohesion and memory in Darlington and the countryside around Darlington. Rooted in my long-term interest in rural identity and working-class histories this work would allow me to increase making work around the the changes we are seeing take place both in the political and physical landscape. Using photography, sound, walking, film and community collaboration, I will examine overlooked rural narratives, particularly those of women and older generations who have witnessed agricultural and social shifts. The project will explore how land is shaped not only by economics and policy, but also by emotion, care, and labour — particularly invisible or gendered work.
The £10,000 bursary would enable me to: deliver community research sessions, building relationships and trust with local communities, Undertake deep research through walking, fieldwork, and time spent in local archives, develop and install a site-specific exhibition or installation that brings the work into a non-traditional space — such as a farm building, community hall, or disused site
The Dover Prize would mark a crucial step forward for me, allowing space to slow down and experiment with new forms — particularly installation, text, and mapping. My work has developed to an expanded photographic practice, I want to push the boundaries of this but need to given the space, time and funding to allow me to do.
The Dover Prize offers the chance to create work that is not only about place but made with place — rooted in the lived experience of a region I feel a strong personal connection to. It would support me in taking creative risks, expanding the scale of my work, and embedding collaboration into my process more deeply. Ultimately my practice is more rooted in the visual arts, I have evidenced with commissions. I would explore this more, the Dover Prize would cement this with the work produced.
My work is rooted in place, community, and overlooked narratives — themes that strongly resonate with Darlington’s cultural and social fabric. I have been practicing as an artist in the area for 9 years after graduating university. As a working-class artist from the North of England, I understand the importance of amplifying regional voices. my practice focuses on this.
Through ‘Common Ground’, I will engage directly with communities in and around Darlington to explore shared histories of land, labour, and belonging. By creating an inclusive and participatory process — including walking sessions, storytelling workshops, and local collaborations.
The project’s outcome will be a public, site-responsive installation in an unconventional space, accessible to local residents who might not typically engage with the arts. This approach can inspire more people to see value in their own stories and spaces, while offering a fresh model for rural and regional arts presentation.
By creating a innovative body of work I think I can raise the profile of the creative arts in the area. I live 40 minutes away, it is my nearest town and I would be passionate about this aspect of the commission. Part of my practice is to ensure the stories I am representing are told, these has been on documentaries on the BBC, through press and news articles, and in the Arts press. I being a high standard of work to each commission I do. I have shown my commitment to the region, this would continue beyond the Dover Prize, creating a legacy.
My work is rooted in place, community, and overlooked narratives — themes that strongly resonate with Darlington’s cultural and social fabric. I have been practicing as an artist in the area for 9 years after graduating university. As a working-class artist from the North of England, I understand the importance of amplifying regional voices. my practice focuses on this. Through ‘Common Ground’, I will engage directly with communities in and around Darlington to explore shared histories of land, labour, and belonging. By creating an inclusive and participatory process — including walking sessions, storytelling workshops, and local collaborations. The project’s outcome will be a public, site-responsive installation in an unconventional space, accessible to local residents who might not typically engage with the arts. This approach can inspire more people to see value in their own stories and spaces, while offering a fresh model for rural and regional arts presentation. By creating a innovative body of work I think I can raise the profile of the creative arts in the area. I live 40 minutes away, it is my nearest town and I would be passionate about this aspect of the commission. Part of my practice is to ensure the stories I am representing are told, these has been on documentaries on the BBC, through press and news articles, and in the Arts press. I being a high standard of work to each commission I do. I have shown my commitment to the region, this would continue beyond the Dover Prize, creating a legacy.
Yes.
Ba (Hons) Fine Art Photography London College of Communication – University of the Arts
Yes.
Arts Council England Project Grant, Rooted Perspectives 2025 – 2028
Election Artist 2024 for UK House of Commons Speakers Committee on works of Art.
The Baltic Vassuer Artist Award 2024
Historic England | Everyday Heritage | On a wing and prayer | 2024 – 2025
DYCP – Exploring Rural Arts Practices and Place – 2023 – 2025
A-n Artists Bursaries | Recipient | 2023
British Council & Weareunlimited | Microgrant | 2022
Hannah Starkey & The Hepworth museum | Collaborative project | One of 8 women and non-binary artists | 2022
Jerwood / Photoworks prize | 2021 – 2022
Shutterstock Females in Focus Award | 2021
Arts Council England Project Grant | Daughters of the Soil | 2021
Portrait of Britain | British Journal of Photography | Winner 2020
Rebecca Vassie 2020 | COVID Work Grant
The Baltic | North East Artist Grant | 2020
A-N Artist | Time | Space | Place | Grant 2020
Winner | Magenta Foundation Flash Forward Emerging Talent | 2016
Yes – I ran Lens think 2015 – 2019 creating space for photographers to come together. I put on events, exhibitions, talks and networking / showcasing programmes.
Roova Arts – Artist led project on farm – hosting workshops, arts for the community, working class rural creative meet ups, artist interventions on the farm. Now funded by JRF.
Yes
Baltic Centre for Contemporary Arts.
Timespan – Helmsdale
Yes.
MIMA – Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art
GAC – Government Art Collection
Parliamentary Art Collection
Arts Council England Collection
Yes.
Timespan Helmsdale – Artist in Residence – 6 months 2024 – 2025.
The Maltings and CRE Newcastle University – 10 months – 2021
Email: hello@joannecoates.co.uk
Address: Moorhen, DL10 5PP, GB
Local Authority: North Yorkshire
