Posted: 19 November 2025
This year’s University Campus Doncaster (UCDon) graduation ceremonies celebrated not only the achievements of its graduates but also the exceptional contributions of local organisations that enrich and inspire the wider community.
During the morning ceremony, UCDon’s Director of Higher Education Academic Registry James Wadsworth proudly presented one of this year’s UCDon Community Awards to ArtBomb, the city’s innovative experimental arts festival and multi-purpose creative space.
ArtBomb has become a dynamic platform for emerging artists, including many UCDon students, as well as a home for grassroots creative initiatives. Through street-art workshops, collaborative growing projects, and imaginative community programmes, ArtBomb fosters creativity, participation, and connection across Doncaster. Its open, exploratory environment invites people of all ages to experiment with new ideas and engage in meaningful artistic dialogue.
This award recognises ArtBomb’s transformative impact on the city’s cultural life. By activating public spaces as hubs of conversation and experimentation, the organisation encourages communities to explore creativity, environmental awareness, and human connection. It also offers students invaluable opportunities to showcase their talents, test developing ideas, and engage with real audiences, experiences that help build confidence, professional networks, and a deeper understanding of creative practice.
Dan Bown, Vice Principal for Higher Education, said “At UCDon, we believe learning extends far beyond the classroom, and ArtBomb exemplifies how creativity can unite communities while supporting emerging artists. In recent years, their programmes have given our students and graduates invaluable opportunities to experiment, showcase their work, and engage in real-world projects. Whether through collaborative art initiatives, pop-up exhibitions, or hands-on workshops, their dedicated team and network have helped students develop their skills, build professional connections, and gain the confidence to take the next steps in their creative careers. Their work has enriched both the city and the lives of countless students and alumni, and we are proud to celebrate their remarkable contribution.”
UCDon also paid special tribute to Mike Stubbs, Creative Director, and Jennie Gilman, Programme Coordinator, acknowledging their vision, leadership, and dedication. Under their guidance, ArtBomb has helped make Doncaster a more vibrant, inclusive, and creatively ambitious city, one where students, graduates, and community members alike can explore new possibilities through art, collaboration, and cultural exchange.
Mike Stubbs commented, “We are absolutely delighted to have received the University Campus Doncaster 2025 Community Award. Congratulations to all those who graduated from UCDon this year!”
Jennie Gilman added, “I’ve been working at ArtBomb for just under six months. In that short time, I’ve had the chance to work closely with some incredible creative talent from UCDon on all sorts of dynamic projects: from volunteering at ArtBomb Festival 2025, to hosting creative workshops, to exhibiting their own work in ArtBomb’s high street creative lab. Alongside UCDOn’s 2nd year Fine Art and Craft students’ showcase in February 2026, we’ve got some fantastic projects coming up at ArtBomb in 2026. I encourage any students wanting to take their creative practice out of the classroom to pop by anytime- our door is always open.”
Reflecting on why ArtBomb was shortlisted for a UCDon Community Award, BA (Hons) Fine Art & Craft Programme Leader Andrea Sutton noted, “Through their generosity, innovation, and unwavering passion, Mike and Jennie have created opportunities that genuinely transform the lives of our students. Their commitment to nurturing emerging talent and opening up space for creative risk-taking is leaving a lasting impact not only on our learners but on the cultural life of the wider city. We are incredibly grateful for their partnership and proud to celebrate the difference they continue to make.”