Artist Residencies in London

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sarabande Foundation

London, United Kingdom

Sarabande Foundation, established by Lee Alexander McQueen in 2006, is a charitable foundation in London that supports creatively fearless artists and designers. It offers heavily subsidized studio spaces ranging from 50 to 350 sq. ft. at £1 per sq. ft. per month, including utilities and access to communal spaces and equipment. The foundation also provides business mentoring, pro-bono support from experts, and networking opportunities. Sarabande nurtures artists from various disciplines, including sculptors, fashion designers, jewellers, textile designers, painters, performance artists, and more. The residency program emphasizes community and collaboration, providing a robust platform for artists to develop their craft and connect with leading industry professionals.

Tenderground

London, United Kingdom

Tenderground is an arts strategy and commissioning program for the almshouses of Southwark Charities, aimed at embedding art and culture into the daily lives of the residents. This innovative and ambitious program is designed to enhance community life, support change, and activate the new almshouse building on Blackfriars Road, London. Directed by Laura Wilson and Clare Cumberlidge & Co, and supported by Southwark Charities, Tenderground explores methods to integrate art and culture deeply into the community. The residency provides opportunities for artists to engage with residents, creating projects that foster community building and enrich the living environment. Tenderground focuses on the collaborative potential of art to influence daily life positively and to assist in the transitional processes associated with the new development.

The Muse Gallery & Studio

London, United Kingdom

The Muse Gallery & Studio offers an Artist in Residence program to support recent graduates by providing subsidized studio space and gallery exposure to cultivate client and industry connections. Since 2004, this residency has been bridging the gap between academia and the professional art world, with a focus on emerging artists. Residents benefit from shared resources, mentorship, and opportunities to participate in community arts projects, exhibitions, and events. The residency spans from January to June each year, beginning and concluding with group shows. Selected artists are also offered a three-week solo exhibition during the following calendar year. The program is designed to foster professional development and facilitate networking, with additional support for event management and marketing.