Design Residencies in London

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.

Design Researchers in Residence

London, United Kingdom

Algae, fungi, yeast, natural fibres... grown materials are substances cultivated with living organisms, rather than being extracted from the earth. They are natural, renewable, and biodegradable, whether grown in a lab or on land. The UK's bioeconomy is a government growth priority: the [ Modern Industrial Strategy](https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/the-uks-modern-industrial-strategy-) names engineering biology as one of six frontier industries, with an ambition for global leadership by . Globally, [the market for mycelium-based materials](https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/mycelium-market) alone is projected to grow from around $3.6 billion today to over $5 billion by , as fashion, construction and packaging industries look for alternatives to plastic, leather and other petrochemical- and animal-derived materials. Yet the UK's own living landscapes for grown materials are themselves under threat. [Seagrass meadows on the west coast of Wales](https://www.projectseagrass.org/blogs/restoring-our-damaged-seagrass-meadows/) have depleted by 92% over the last century, while only around 30,000 hectares remain of Scotland’s [temperate rainforests](https://savingscotlandsrainforest.org.uk/). The UK's grown ecosystems are as fragile as they are abundant. **Design Researchers in Residence** is open to designers and researchers from disciplines including but not limited to: biodesign, fashion and textiles, industrial design, architecture, systems and policy research, material innovation, craft or graphic design. We are interested in research that spans the handmade and tactile to the biofabricated and engineered, embedded in natural intelligence. This includes Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), biodesign and biofabrication practices that work with living systems.

QE Artists-in-Residence

London, United Kingdom

This residency is open to emerging and mid-career artists working in all disciplines across the Bay Area. For four months the artist-in-residence will be given a studio in the Quinn Emanuel Silicon Valley office to support their existing practice or a new project as appropriate. Who can apply: Local Emerging/Mid-career artists, any medium but please note the studio is in an office so we can't have a kiln on site. What you get: Studio space, exhibition, $20,000 grant and $1,500 for materials. 14 August Organiser: Quinn Emanuel Artists Foundation Locations: North America Apply

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.

Sir John Soane’s Museum Residency

London, United Kingdom

Within Sir John Soane’s Museum, the Drawing Office is the earliest surviving example of a working architectural office. To mark the 200th anniversary of its installation, Sir John Soane’s Museum began a programme of restoration, new multi-layered digital interpretation, and the launch of the Museum’s first residency programme in . The Drawing Office sits in

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.

Victoria & Albert Museum

London, United Kingdom

The Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) in London offers residency programs, including the Adobe Creative Residency, supporting artists, designers, and makers to research collections, develop practices, and engage audiences through public programming. Residents typically commit to 12-month full-time positions with studio access, mentorship, salaried compensation, and a culminating display, while shorter residencies also exist. Programs emphasize interdisciplinary work across V&A sites, fostering innovation and community connections.