Free Artist Residencies in United Kingdom

Acme

London, United Kingdom

Acme Studios, established in 1972 and celebrating its 50th anniversary, is a London-based not-for-profit organization that provides affordable studios, work/live spaces, and a comprehensive artist support program. Acme supports over 800 artists across 15 buildings in Greater London annually. The organization offers a range of residency programs, including fully funded and subsidized opportunities tailored to artists at different career stages—from early-career to established practitioners. Acme’s residencies provide financial support, professional development, mentoring, and exhibition opportunities, all within a supportive artist peer community. Their flagship Fire Station Residency offers artists a five-year term to focus on their practice. Acme also engages in various partnerships that extend additional opportunities to resident artists.

Beam

Chesterfield, United Kingdom

Beam, a cultural development organization based in Wakefield, North of England, offers a Socially Engaged Artist Residency in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. This residency aims to engage the community and visitors through creative participatory activities and animation, exploring unique and hidden stories about the town. The program runs for six months and provides an all-inclusive fee of £14,700 plus VAT. Beam supports artists with technical, administrative, and mediation assistance, offering a residency base in an empty shop in Chesterfield town center. The residency includes community engagement sessions, research, and creative outputs displayed in the town center. Beam emphasizes the importance of community involvement, cultural exchange, and the creation of high-quality public art.

Blackhorse Workshop

London, United Kingdom

Blackhorse Workshop, a social enterprise based in London, is committed to opening up access to making for all. The workshop offers a supportive environment for creative practitioners, particularly those early in their careers, who have a strong interest in wood and metal work. The residency provides free desk space in a shared studio, access to professional wood and metal workshops, and regular development support. With a focus on inclusivity, Blackhorse Workshop actively encourages applications from individuals with a strong connection to Waltham Forest, especially from underrepresented backgrounds in the arts. The residency culminates in a public presentation of the resident’s work, offering a valuable platform for emerging makers.

Cavendish Arts Science

Cambridge, United Kingdom

The Cavendish Arts Science Fellowship at Girton College, University of Cambridge, offers a unique interdisciplinary opportunity that blends artistic creativity with scientific inquiry. This one-year fellowship, generously supported by Una Ryan, is designed for artists to engage with cutting-edge physics research and experiment with new forms of practice that push conventional boundaries. It aims to facilitate adventurous artists in exploring alternative ways of understanding and re-imagining the world through the prism of both the arts and the sciences. The fellowship includes a stipend, rent-free accommodation, meals at Girton College, and substantial budgets for production and travel, making it a fully supportive environment for creative and scientific exploration.

Cove Park

Helensburgh, United Kingdom

Cove Park is an international artist residency centre on a 50-acre rural site overlooking Loch Long in Argyll, Scotland, near Helensburgh, hosting national and international artists, writers, researchers, and creative practitioners across all art forms and career stages.[1][3] The program supports research, experimentation, development, and production of new work in a supportive environment with communal facilities and events.[1][2] Residencies vary from funded opportunities with stipends and housing to self-funded stays, typically lasting 2-4 weeks.[1][2]

Craft AiR at University for the Creative Arts (UCA)

Farnham, United Kingdom

The Craft AiR program at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) Farnham offers artists the opportunity to deepen their practice in Ceramics, Glass, or Jewellery & Silversmithing within a dynamic academic setting. This residency provides free access to state-of-the-art facilities, including dedicated workshops, kilns, fabrication tools, and digital labs. In exchange, artists contribute to curriculum support through technical workshops, talks, and community engagement, enriching both their CVs and the UCA craft community. The program encourages early and mid-career artists with either formal qualifications or professional experience to apply. While UCA provides exceptional workspace and resources, artists are expected to arrange their own accommodation, materials, and travel. The residency typically runs from September to August, with flexible start dates and a minimum 3-day weekly commitment. This is an ideal opportunity for practitioners who thrive in collaborative, educational environments. Open to UK and international applicants, the program supports a vibrant exchange of ideas in contemporary craft.

Delfina Foundation

London, United Kingdom

The Delfina Foundation Residency Program, based in London, offers opportunities for artists, curators, and writers to develop their practice, explore connections, and build collaborations. Residencies, lasting up to three months, are largely thematic and support both emerging and established cultural practitioners. The Foundation hosts 6 to 8 residents simultaneously in its central London location, providing flexible living and working space. Residents engage with international peers and the public, fostering artistic exchange and professional development. The program has a strong focus on critical issues in contemporary art and has established relationships with the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia.

Factory

Manchester, United Kingdom

Factory International Fellowship is a unique opportunity for six artists based in the North of England to scale up their ambition through gaining insight into how Factory International makes work at Aviva Studios and for Manchester International Festival (MIF25). The Fellowship supports artists at a transitional stage in their career to stretch their practice in different directions. This bespoke programme allows Fellows to explore their practice in the world-class Aviva Studios building with new commissions and international artists making work at scale. Fellows receive mentoring opportunities, coaching, observational placements, peer-to-peer learning and access to Factory International staff and creative teams as well as monthly meetings with Creative Director Low Kee Hong. The programme builds on previous successful programmes – MIF Jerwood/Creative Fellows and Factory Fellows – which have supported 30 artists/creatives from the region since 2017 thanks to the initial support of the Jerwood Foundation. Fellows shadow the making of Factory International commissions over a nine-month period including access to MIF25 commissions, developing professional experience and knowledge of different art forms or different scales of work.

Gasworks

London, United Kingdom

Gasworks is a non-profit contemporary visual art organization in London established in 1994, offering an international residencies programme for emerging and early-career artists to research, develop new work, and engage in cultural exchange. Residencies are self-led, non-prescriptive, and process-based, typically lasting eleven weeks, fully funded with studio access, accommodation, living expenses, and support. They host up to twenty residencies annually, culminating in Open Studios and public presentations.[1][2][8]

Grizedale Arts

Coniston, United Kingdom

Grizedale Arts is a contemporary arts organisation based at Lawson Park farm near Coniston in the Lake District, UK, operating as a residency and commissioning agency focused on integrating art into everyday life through hands-on, communal projects.[1][5] Over the past decade, it has shifted from traditional artist residencies to a flexible model involving commissioned works, research stays, volunteering opportunities, and roles as associate artists within local, national, and international programmes.[4] Residencies emphasise practical skills like construction, crafts, and sustainable initiatives, often at Lawson Park or The Farmer's Arms, with examples including volunteer builds and paid potter positions.[2][7]

Hugo Burge Foundation

Duns, United Kingdom

The Hugo Burge Foundation offers a variety of artist residencies throughout the year, located in the scenic Scottish Borders. These residencies cater to artists across all art forms, providing both funded and self-funded opportunities. The foundation's programs are designed to support the development of new and exciting works within its dedicated studios surrounded by an inspiring natural landscape. Each residency program, whether focusing on visual arts, botanical art, spoken word, or performance, offers artists a unique chance to immerse themselves in their craft while interacting with the local creative community and engaging in public events.

Krowji

Redruth (near Tehidy Country Park), United Kingdom

The Tehidy Creative Residency Programme is an initiative managed by Krowji, in partnership with Cornwall Council, designed to foster creative engagement with the natural environment of Tehidy Country Park in Cornwall, UK. This program offers up to four funded residencies for creative practitioners from various disciplines who are passionate about exploring the natural world and engaging diverse audiences. The residencies, which can last up to three months, provide free accommodation in a renovated estate worker’s cottage, complete with studio space and access to the surrounding woodland. While the residency does not provide a stipend or materials budget, it offers a unique setting to inspire creative outputs and the opportunity to contribute to the cultural and creative growth of Cornwall.

Millfield Creative Residency by Peterborough Presents

Peterborough, United Kingdom

Peterborough Presents’ Millfield Creative Residency is a year-long program inviting a Lead Artist or Creative to collaborate with the community of Millfield & Gladstone in Peterborough, UK. This residency supports artists from diverse disciplines, encouraging them to co-create projects that celebrate cultural heritage and foster community cohesion. Artists will receive a stipend, production budget, and expenses to cover travel and accommodation. The residency emphasizes intergenerational and intercultural engagement, allowing artists to develop their ideas in collaboration with local residents. Previous projects have included murals, exhibitions, and performances, highlighting the rich cultural fabric of the area. The program provides access to studio space, professional support, and community networks. By focusing on the needs and stories of the local community, Peterborough Presents aims to build a positive reputation for the neighborhood and create lasting artistic legacies. The residency offers a unique opportunity for artists to immerse themselves in a vibrant, multicultural environment while contributing to the cultural landscape of Peterborough.

PLOP

London, United Kingdom

PLOP Residency, established in 2018, is a vibrant artist residency located in the heart of East London, near Bethnal Green. Situated in the former Annka Kultys gallery space, PLOP has become a nurturing ground for over 65 international artists from 4 continents and 14 countries. At its core, PLOP is a community-driven initiative that offers a unique blend of studio space and mentorship, enriched by studio visits from esteemed industry professionals. Each month, the residency hosts 2 artists, providing them with free studio space to work collaboratively, culminating in a curated open studios event. PLOP underscores its commitment to artist development through annual open calls that welcome both artists and curators, fostering a diverse and dynamic creative environment. The residency’s creator, Oli Epp, and Residency Manager, Mollie Barnes, alongside an advisory panel comprising art critics, curators, and collectors, play pivotal roles in steering PLOP towards its mission of championing artist development and facilitating revolutionary residencies.

Residency 11:11

London, United Kingdom

Residency 11:11 in London offers a unique, one-month residency for art practitioners focusing on research and reflection. Set in the home of its founders, Alex Bell and Giulia Shah, the residency provides a supportive environment for exploring local artistic landscapes and engaging with diverse discourses. In collaboration with Iniva’s Stuart Hall Library, the residency emphasizes engagement with special collections and archival practices, particularly those centered on Global Majority, African, Asian, Caribbean, Polynesian, Latinx, and Diaspora perspectives. This program includes access to Iniva’s resources, a research budget, and opportunities for public engagement.

Rhodes Trust

Oxford, United Kingdom

The Rhodes Art for Global Impact Residency is an international program hosted by the prestigious Rhodes Trust. The residency seeks to support artists whose practices are rooted in social justice and addressing some of the most pressing global challenges. Through collaboration with the Rhodes Scholar community, artists are provided an opportunity for intellectual exchange and creative development. The program culminates in a public exhibition at Rhodes House in Oxford, fostering dialogue around contemporary issues through art. The residency runs annually, alternating between open applications from the public and selections from within the Rhodes Scholar network. Artists working in diverse media, including painting, sculpture, mixed media, and photography, are encouraged to apply, with an emphasis on themes of social impact. Financial support and logistical resources are provided to help artists engage fully with the community and produce impactful works.

Stirchley Printworks

Birmingham, United Kingdom

Stirchley Printworks, located in South Birmingham, is a contemporary print studio established in 2022. Their residency program, supported by Arts Council England, aims to make printmaking accessible to underrepresented artists from the West Midlands. The program offers four artists a six-month residency, including 24/7 access to the studio, a £2,500 stipend, and a £300 materials budget. Artists will receive technical and artistic support, and the residency will culminate in a shared exhibition. This opportunity is open to artists from diverse backgrounds, and prior experience in printmaking is not required. The goal is to support and develop underrepresented talent in the arts.

The Old Lock Up Gallery

Cromford, United Kingdom

The Old Lock Up Gallery in Cromford, Derbyshire, offers week-long artist residencies approximately five times a year, providing a tranquil and inspiring environment for artists to develop their projects. The residencies cost £495 for 7 days and include overnight stays in the gallery owner’s home. Artists have 24/7 access to a well-equipped gallery space with lighting, a log-burning stove, a kitchenette, and a separate toilet. The gallery, situated near the Peak District National Park, offers a serene setting surrounded by beautiful countryside. Participants can enjoy the village amenities, including a grocery store, cafes, pubs, and a bookshop. The program emphasizes self-directed work, allowing artists to focus intensely on their projects. A fully funded residency is available for UK artists meeting specific financial criteria. The residency provides a unique opportunity for artists to engage with a new space and find inspiration from the natural surroundings.

Tracey Emin Artist Residency (TEAR)

Margate, United Kingdom

The Tracey Emin Artist Residency, set to commence in February/March 2025, presents a unique opportunity for artists to immerse themselves in the creative environment of Margate for up to 18 months. This residency, orchestrated by the Tracey Emin Foundation, emphasizes self-directed development akin to a master's degree level of working, albeit in a non-accredited format. Applicants are encouraged to visit Margate during the open days in July and August 2024 to acquaint themselves with the town. While the residency does not provide accommodation or bursaries, it opens doors for artists capable of living and working in the UK, offering a platform for significant growth and exploration in their artistic journey. The residency specifically seeks to include under-represented groups in the cultural sector, including disabled artists and those from black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds, fostering a diverse and inclusive creative community.