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.

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.

BODY and PLACE drawing Residency

Gloucestershire, United Kingdom

BODY and PLACE 09 – 13 June In , BODY and PLACE will return to Owlpen Manor, a private 200 acre estate in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire for four days of exploratory workshops led by tutor Martin Morris featuring model Silvina Pierina. The Open Call to apply for a fully funded place (less travel

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.

Cluster Photography Artist-in-Residence

London, United Kingdom

Organizer Information: Cluster was founded in with a clear goal: redefine the contemporary art fair by cutting out the middlemen. Cluster seeks out raw, unfiltered creativity from artists directly. From the start, Cluster positioned itself as London’s most accessible and affordable art fair—an unapologetic platform for artists to showcase their work on their own

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. The program supports research, experimentation, development, and production of new work in a supportive environment with communal facilities and events. Residencies vary from funded opportunities with stipends and housing to self-funded stays, typically lasting 2-4 weeks.

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 International

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.

Flax Art Studios in Belfast runs an International Residency programme since 1994, offering artists 8-week stays with artist fees of £2100 per month, furnished private accommodation, city centre studio access, and facilities including the only dedicated sculptural workshop in Northern Ireland featuring wood, plaster, casting, digital fabrication, and textile. It supports sculptural and contemporary visual arts practice, acting as a hub for professional development, international networking, and outreach, with various residency types including production, graduate, curator, and exchanges. The studios provide spaces for over 70 artists and emphasize work inspired by Belfast's evolving cultural narrative.

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.

Gorilla Circus Residency UK

Gorefield, Fenland, United Kingdom

Organizer Information Gorilla Circus is a London-based contemporary circus production company and creative arts organisation founded in by former professional circus artists. The company specialises in innovative and interactive circus creation, blending performance, aerial work, and immersive storytelling. Alongside touring shows and community projects, Gorilla Circus runs artistic Residencies in Fenland, UK, offering artists

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. 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. 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.

Hawthornden Castle

Midlothian, United Kingdom

Hawthornden Castle in Midlothian, Scotland, offers an international literary residency program providing month-long retreats for creative writers including literary fiction writers, poets, short story writers, creative nonfiction writers, essayists, playwrights, screenwriters, and translators into English. The program houses six writers at a time in a peaceful castle setting with private study bedrooms, full room and board, and access to communal facilities like a library and studio. Residents receive a stipend of $1,000 (from Europe) or $2,500 (elsewhere), with eight annual four-week sessions running ten months of the year.

House Work Presents

London, United Kingdom

House Work Presents is an artist-run residency in Hackney, East London, offering one early-career artist a free, fully supported month of creative experimentation with weekly mentorship from arts professionals and a culminating solo exhibition. The program welcomes artists across all disciplines and provides dedicated studio space, private accommodation, and professional development opportunities within London's vibrant creative community.

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.

Invisible Flock

West Bretton, United Kingdom

Invisible Flock is an award-winning interactive arts studio based at Yorkshire Sculpture Park in West Bretton, UK, offering a rolling artist residency program that emphasizes collaboration, experimentation, and art at the intersection of technology and environmental themes. Residencies provide access to high-quality facilities including a workshop, tech lab, and creation space, along with mentoring, peer feedback, and networking, as seen in past ten-day programs for local artists. The program supports national and international artists, often with a focus on socially engaged and environmental art, without pressure for set outputs.

IOU Creation Centre

Halifax, United Kingdom

The IOU Creation Centre in Halifax, UK, offers artist residencies including a rolling 6-month live-in program at the IOU Hostel in Hebden Bridge, providing rent-free accommodation, access to studios, workshops, and creative mentorship for interdisciplinary artists responding to IOU's archive and approach. Specific opportunities include a fully funded 6-month residency from April to September with a £3,000 production budget and a one-week residency in June for body-based performance and land art artists, featuring stipends, travel, and materials support. Artists can lead workshops, hold exhibitions, and receive professional development as part of IOU's year-round support for experimental art, engineering, and technology practices.

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.

National Centre for Writing

Norwich, United Kingdom

The Dragon Hall Cottage at the National Centre for Writing in Norwich offers residencies and retreats for writers and translators. Established in a historic 19th-century building, the cottage provides a tranquil environment with modern amenities, including a fully equipped kitchen, comfortable living spaces, and a garden. Residencies are open to both national and international applicants, encouraging creative work and interaction with the local literary community. The cottage also hosts various events and workshops, enhancing the residents' experience.

Pfaelzer Hof

Idar-Oberstein, United Kingdom

Pfaelzer Hof Artist Residencies is an artist-led cultural development project in Idar-Oberstein, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, offering residencies for artists, writers, and composers in a renovated former hotel since . It provides spacious apartments with natural light, a shared outdoor terrace, a 24/7 accessible project and exhibition space, and connections to local galleries and Trier University workshops. Residencies last 1-6 months from April to October, with fees varying and a €1500 monthly stipend available in some cases.

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.

Residency Open Call Cite the past, sight the stars

Derbyshire, United Kingdom

The Photographers’ Gallery invites applications for a new residency in Derbyshire. Based at Wigwell Lodge, this two-month residency in February - March is for artists working with expanded photography and digital practices. This is an opportunity to research, experiment and expand thinking around photography, technology and innovative approaches to image making and visual culture. Who can apply: This opportunity is open to individual artists over 18 with the legal right to work in the UK. What you get: The opportunity offers two months’ accommodation and studio space at Wigwell Lodge, Derbyshire, a £1000 stipend per month, £1000 production budget, up to £500 towards travel. 06 September Organiser: The Photographers' Gallery Locations: United Kingdom Apply

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.

Royal Drawing School

London, United Kingdom

The Royal Drawing School in London offers various fully funded artist residency programs, primarily for alumni and postgraduate artists, focused on observational drawing to develop practice in unique settings. Residencies like the Don Bachardy Fellowship provide shared studio space, curated drawing courses, accommodation support, stipends, and teaching opportunities over 10 weeks. Programs emphasize drawing from life, professional development, and acting as ambassadors for the school's mission.

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

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 Art House

Wakefield, United Kingdom

The Art House in Wakefield, West Yorkshire hosts the Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL) International Residency: two fully funded two-month residencies a year for international visual artists who have not yet exhibited or worked in the UK. Eligibility covers artists from Commonwealth or former Commonwealth countries, the US, EU/EEA and Switzerland. Residents receive a dedicated studio and on-site accommodation, travel and visa costs, a per diem and a materials budget, plus access to print, ceramic and darkroom facilities with technician support. The programme emphasises creative development over required outcomes — open studios or an exhibition are optional — and includes mentoring, professional development and gallery visits in London. Applications are made through ROSL, which selects and funds the residency.

The Auxiliary

Stockton-on-Tees, United Kingdom

The Auxiliary is a sonic arts organization established in , offering artist residencies in a live/work space across a 19th-century townhouse or creative complex in northeast England, focused on experimental sound art, performance, and installation practices that explore local industrial heritage. Residencies typically last 6 weeks, providing studio space, accommodation, stipend, travel allowance, and production budget, with opportunities for exhibitions, workshops, and networking. It supports emerging international artists through funded programs like AUX-AiR, fostering cultural exchange and community engagement in the Tees Valley area.

West Dean College

West Dean, United Kingdom

The West Dean College Residency Programme at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation in the UK offers professional artists, writers, makers, and researchers onsite stays of one to three weeks (with occasional longer options like six weeks) to develop work, experiment with materials, and access workshops and facilities. Residents engage with students through tutorials, workshops, and presentations, continuing the legacy of founder Edward James in supporting early- to mid-career practitioners focused on craft, making, and sustainability. Various partnership residencies provide full board accommodation, studio space, and sometimes stipends.