Meet City of Portsmouth College’s new Artist-in-Residence

Former City of Portsmouth College student Alana Leeming is back on campus – but this time she’s not a student; she’s the College’s first Artist-in-Residence.

Alana is one of eight artists across England and Wales to be selected for the 2026-27 Breakthrough Artist Fellowship from the Artists’ Future Fund, an independent charity. Each is being given a £10,000 unrestricted stipend, full-time access to studio space and facilities through their host institution, individual mentoring, professional development and opportunities to exhibit their work.

The programme provides artists with time, financial security, space and sustained support during the critical period following formal education. Over ten months, the Fellows will be encouraged to experiment, develop new work, build confidence and connections, and establish the foundations for sustainable creative futures, culminating in regional exhibitions and a co-curated final showcase in London.

“I hope to create pieces that could connect with people, even if it’s just one person. I want to show my own struggles that I’ve experienced throughout my life – being in foster care growing up during primary development, family, the theme of loneliness being a huge factor, and how these things affect people now as adults,” she said.

“I want to face these issues through my art and let people know, that in a way, they’re not alone.”

Alana’s style is mixed – she says she’s not tied to any one output, though her most recent work leans heavily into her love of anime. She uses mainly acrylic paint and/or ink pens in her creations.

Alana will be based at Sixth Form Campus, and is hoping to work alongside current students on her projects.

Olivia Mason, Director of Artists Futures Fund, said: “We are thrilled to welcome our 2026-27 Breakthrough Artist Fellows. Each artist brings a distinctive practice, perspective and creative ambition to the programme.

“At a point when financial pressures and unequal access to space, networks and opportunities make it increasingly difficult for emerging artists to continue, sustained support can be transformative.”

To meet the 2026-27 Fellows and discover more about their work, visit:
www.artistsfuturesfund.org/2026-27-fellows