Residing in Lincolnshire, McCourt has exhibited across the UK and internationally, with work shown in Brazil, Australia, Senegal and China. Her practice spans photography, installation, public art and architectural intervention, often working at an ambitious scale and blending gritty social realism with humour, folklore and political commentary. 

Her appointment marks an exciting moment for Lincoln Arts Centre’s growing Associate Artist programme, which supports artists to develop bold new work in Lincoln and tour it nationally and internationally, including to Arts Council England Priority Places, where access to arts and cultural opportunities is lower. 

New Work: Ad Astra 

As part of her associateship, McCourt will develop a major new artwork, Ad Astra, set to take place in Lincoln in Autumn 2026. 

The work grows from her existing piece, Per Ardua, which reflects on the experiences of LGBTQ+ personnel in the RAF effected by the historic ban on homosexuality in the armed forces. 

Per Ardua Ad Astra is a Latin phrase meaning “through adversity to the stars” and is the official motto of the RAF. In her artwork Per Ardua, McCourt deliberately crossed out Ad Astra, creating a constant loop of adversity – the stars unattainable for LGBT+ personnel during the period known as ‘the gay ban’. 

For Ad Astra, McCourt will invite members of the wider community to share their stories and take part in the creation of a new companion artwork. Through conversations and photography, she will gather stories from people who have faced adversity or injustice, including those whose potential has been limited by stigma or historical erasure. 

These stories will form part of a new constellation of voices and images – a work intended to open space for dialogue, reflection and collective healing. This will premier as part of Lincoln Arts Centre’s Loud and Proud season in Autumn 2026.  

Annabel said: “This is an opportunity to make new work, to experiment and to have a recognised home at Lincoln, being embraced by a local venue, whilst making work across the globe is fantastic.”  

Expanding Opportunities for Artists 

McCourt joins a growing network of artists supported through Lincoln Arts Centre’s Associate Artist and Innovate Artist programmes, which provides resources, and professional support to develop ambitious creative work. 

The Centre is opening a public call for a new Associate Artist, offering a £20,000 commission to develop a new project with the support of Lincoln Arts Centre and the University of Lincoln. This opportunity will bring the total number of Associate Artists connected to the Centre to six. 

Alongside this, the Centre is offering another  seed commission opportunity, known as Innovate Artists, specifically for local artists, with £2300 ring-fenced to support new ideas and early-stage creative development within the region. Bringing to the total number of seed commissioned artists to 17, in addition to the 6 associate artists. 

Supporting Artists to Grow 

Artists working with Lincoln Arts Centre benefit from a wide range of support, which may include mentoring from nationally and internationally recognised practitioners, technical and marketing assistance, rehearsal space, touring advice and opportunities to share work in progress through the Centre’s quarterly Demo events. 

Artists may also collaborate with students at the University of Lincoln on creative briefs and connect with partners, helping new ideas move from concept to public presentation. 

The University of Lincoln is one of only twelve universities included in Arts Council England’s National Portfolio of Organisations, recognising it as a leading venue for arts and cultural activity in the UK. Through Lincoln Arts Centre and the Barbican Creative Hub, the University continues to support artists and communities to develop innovative and ambitious cultural projects. 

With Annabel McCourt’s appointment and new opportunities for artists to join the programme, Lincoln Arts Centre continues to position Lincoln as a place where bold artistic ideas can be developed and shared. 

Applications for the new Associate Artist commission and local seed commissions, known as Innovate Artsts, are now open. These opportunities form part of a refreshed artistic policy for 2026 – 2028 and follow the launch of Routes In, an entry-level jobs scheme demonstrating the Centre’s commitment to creating multiple pathways into creative careers.