FUAM 2026: The Friends of University Art and Music Graduate Art Prize
Discover the freshest talent from Leeds’ art scene!
Celebrating its 14th year, the FUAM exhibition showcases the artistic talent of students completing BA studies in Art and Design and Fine Art at the University of Leeds in 2026.
Our 2026 finalists are:
Laura Gooch (BA Art & Design)
Marcus Hills (BA Art & Design)
Izzy Cheyne Jones (BA Fine Art)
Melissa Nesbitt (BA Fine Art)
This year’s selected artists each engage with how we relate to the world around us, through diverse practices which span sculpture, textiles, sound, installation, and biomaterials. Izzy Cheyne Jones’ work proposes how art can further our psychological and emotional relationship with our built environment, whilst Melissa Nesbitt explores the relationships between nature, memory, and family history. Laura Gooch advocates for interspecies entanglement and the potential of human-fungal integration, whilst Marcus Hills’ humorous projects expose the absurdity in our treatment of the natural world. All four demonstrate both technical excellence and artistic innovation.
The artworks featured in this exhibition have been selected from the artists’ final degree shows by an expert panel of judges. Our 2026 judges are Claire Knowles (Acting Director of Library Services at the University of Leeds), Damon Jackson Waldock (Director of The Art House, Wakefield), and Khadijah Ibrahiim (poet, playwright, and Artistic Director of Leeds Young Authors).
The judges will return to choose the overall winner of the FUAM Graduate Art Prize 2026. Visitors are encouraged to vote for their favourite artist for the People’s Choice Award, either online or at the Gallery.
The FUAM Graduate Art Prize is generously supported by Friends of University Art and Music.
More Events
Public Art Trail: Part III
20th August 2026 - 20th August 2026
Explore our entire collection of Public Art across three walks around the University of Leeds campus this Summer. In a series of three walks over…
Public Art Walk & Draw
8th September 2026 - 8th September 2026
Enjoy the last of the Summer in Leeds and join us for a special walk and draw tour around campus. Stretch your legs with a…
Exhibition Opening: FUAM 2026
15th September 2026 - 15th September 2026
Join us to celebrate the opening of FUAM 2026: The Friends of University Art and Music Graduate Art Prize. Now in its 14th year, the…
Explore The Neighbourhood
GA-20
Since 2018, GA-20 has been at the forefront of a traditional Blues revival. The dynamic throwback trio have long been disciples of the place where…
Learn MoreSpace Explorers Academy
Zoom past the Sun, dodge swirling storms on Jupiter, glide by the rings of Saturn and venture out to the icy giants at the edge…
Learn MoreGrease
The world’s best-loved musical is back! Grittier and more glamorous than ever before. After a whirlwind summer romance, leather-clad greaser Danny and girl-next-door Sandy are…
Learn MoreMusic Around the World: Store Tour and Workshop
Learn about music across the world with objects from our World Cultures collections – then build your own musical instruments from found objects. Join our…
Learn MoreJack Rooke’s Good Grief
Jack Rooke’s Good Grief: a decade retrospective of capitalising on my dead dad to varied levels of failure and success. BAFTA-winning writer and recovering spoken-word…
Learn MorePickle Party – 3 Course Supper Club with Holly Pickles
It’s a Bank Holiday Pickle Party! Are you ready to brine and dine? Join us on 30th August for a full day celebrating all things…
Learn MoreBelgrave Music Hall
Independent venue with music, art, film and food spread across three floors, including Leeds’ most spectacular roof terrace. Located in Leedsí vibrant Northern Quarter, Belgrave…
Learn MoreArcadia Ale House
Arcadia Ale house is a sports bar located in the Headingly area of Leeds with a range of drinks offers throughout the week. Arcadia shows…
Learn MoreBlue Pavilion & K-Cube
Oriental dining, live music and private karaoke: Blue Pavilion is bringing the party. This upmarket Chinese restaurant specialises in a-la-carte dining and stylish entertainment, perfect…
Learn MoreThe New George
Small bar which opened in 2015. Four handpumps on the bar. The walls are decorated with historic photos and rugby league memorabilia. Function room upstairs.…
Learn MoreBe At One
The original party starters shaking up some magic in Leeds! No matter the occasion we’ve got the tunes, cocktails and vibe to get you in…
Learn MoreCarnegie School of Sport
One of the largest providers of sports courses in UK higher education.
Learn MoreReginald Centre Community Hub and Library
Join for free and borrow books, eBooks, eAudio and more. We also provide help for people to get online and run events and activities for…
Learn MoreBrewery Place
Situated on the south bank of the River Aire opposite The Calls, Brewery Wharf offers a vibrant mix of offices, bars, restaurants, residential apartments and…
Learn MoreNexus – University of Leeds
Community is at the heart of what we do. We help high growth businesses make the right connections and access research, talent and facilities across…
Learn MoreGarforth Community Hub and Library
Join for free and borrow books, eBooks, eAudio and more. We also provide help for people to get online and run events and activities for…
Learn MoreSlung Low
Founded in 2000, Slung Low is an award-winning theatre company specialising in making epic productions in non-theatre spaces, often with large community performance companies at…
Learn MoreThe Sculpture Gallery
The Sculpture Gallery is an outstanding new gallery, of pure sculpture, showcasing the work, not only of the six Sculptors below, that own and run…
Learn MoreSt George’s Conference Centre
Our convenient location in the heart of Leeds City Centre and different room sizes means we can facilitate a range of conferences and events. …
Learn MoreAlbion Place
Albion Place is a busy street in Leeds City Centre that’s home to many restaurants and shops.
Learn MoreThe Bradbury Building
The Bradbury Building is the office of Age UK and is a community hub and meetings space. “hello”
Learn More