Artist-Maker Residency

Open now for Applications

Link to the application form can be found at the bottom of this page

Open Call Out for Sculptors, Music Makers,
Outdoor and Installation Artists

Our Artist-Maker programme is a supported artist residency based at Old Printworks Arts in Radstock, North East Somerset, open to creatives who are aged 19+ years and are resident within the West of England Combined Authority.

Designed for artists who are ready to develop new work, this residency combines access to specialist making space with practical support to help artists build sustainable creative careers.

We know that one of the biggest barriers facing artists working at scale is access to affordable space, materials, technical support and professional development. This residency has been designed to address these challenges directly.

The Artist-Maker programme is part of our commitment to widening access to creative careers and supporting artists facing economic barriers. Priority will be given to low income artists, artists experiencing financial hardship. Applicants must be aged 19+ and able to demonstrate how access to the residency would help remove barriers to developing their creative practice and career.

What We Offer

Selected artists will receive:

• Access to large-scale shared studio and making spaces at Old Printworks Arts
• Access to dedicated shared creative development space for research, design and planning
• Materials and support towards the development of new work
• Regular mentoring and one-to-one support
• Guidance in funding and fundraising
• Production and project development support
• Professional development opportunities
• Support with commissions, exhibitions, applications and career progression
• Peer learning and connection with a community of artists and makers
• Opportunities to showcase and test new work

Who Is It For?

We are looking for artists working in:

• Sculpture
• Installation
• Music
• Large-scale making
• public art
• Site-responsive work
• Participatory and socially engaged sculptural practice
• experiential physical and immersive environments

We particularly welcome applications from artists who are underrepresented within the arts sector. including working-class artists, disabled artists, neurodivergent artists, carers, GRT and Global Majority artists, LGBTQ+ artists returning to practice after a break.

Important Information

This Artist-Maker programme is a shared residency programme and this year does not include fixed individual studio spaces. Instead, artists will have access to flexible shared making and development spaces designed to support experimentation, collaboration and large-scale production.

What We’re Looking For

We want to support artists who:

• Have a clear interest in developing ambitious work
• Would benefit from access to larger-scale making facilities
• Are committed to developing their creative practice
• Are excited to be part of a supportive artist community
• Are interested in building sustainable creative careers

How to Apply

Applications are open for submissions between Friday 17 July and midnight on Wednesday 22 August 2026.

All applicants will be notified whether their application will be progressed, on or before 28 August 2026.

Shortlisted artists will be interviewed on 2 or 3 September.

Successful applicants will begin their residency on 21 September.

Eligibility
This opportunity is open to anyone who currently meet one (or more) of these criteria:
 19+ and unemployed
 19+, earning under the real living wage (£24,183 per year) and/or you are over the age of 50
 Economically inactive and not in Higher Education

Eligible candidates for our Artist-Maker Creative Residency must also be a resident within the West of England Combined Mayoral Authority, outlined in dark grey on the map below.

We shortlist and select on the basis of distance to travel to the relevant studio, and ability to use the space, current employment status and demonstrable impact the residency will have on your creative practice.

For more information about the host studios please visit:
Enquiries: ruby@lostrobot.org

Our Artist-Maker Residency is funded by Culture West, led by the West of England Combined Authority and the Government Adult Education Budget, (AEB)

Fill in the following details to apply for this Residency

Tick at least one *

• I am economically inactive and I am not in Higher Education.
• I have prior attainment below full level 2 (GCSE C plus or equivalent)
• I have literacy, numeracy or ESOL needs assessed to be below level 2
• I am aged 50 or above
• I have an income that falls below the Real Living Wage – £24,183 per annum

You must meet at least one of these criteria to apply for this residency

Postcode *

This residency is open to residents within the West of England Combined Authority

Name *

First

Last

Email

Phone number

What is your current creative practice or area/s of specialism? (150 words)

Add links to your work

Add links to where we can see your work online – this could be a webpage, or social media

In what ways would this creative residency support you developing your creative career? (300 words)

This residency is particularly well suited for creative professionals facing challenges due to low income or career gaps because of parenting or caring duties, chronic illness and other life events that have limited your chances to develop your creative career.

Are there any areas of professional development you would like support with?

• Learning new artistic skills
• Social media marketing
• Self employment / tax return
• Professional development support
• Building for festivals and events, touring outdoor artwork.

Any other comments

Tell us about anything you think may be relevant to your application for this creative residency

• I am happy to be contacted with further information about this residency

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