Residencies

Artists Support (in kind) Residencies Scheme

Artspace Lifespace offer artists residency opportunities to develop specific or open-ended projects and to test works in progress. This opportunity is open to artists working across art forms from Bristol and beyond.

Artspace Lifespace is a registered Charity. Our objective is to promote art for the benefit of the public through the establishment and maintenance of facilities for artists from a variety of artistic practices in which they can create work, collaborate, and present and perform their work for the public.

Our projects operate as self-funded with all income generated by the use of our spaces invested back into the project and our tenant artists.

Why?

We would like to support artists working across art forms with the access space to further develop their individual or collaborative ideas and projects.

In this section

What we offer?

  • Access to space in kind support (free)
  • A letter of support for funding applications or for your work in general
  • Your work can be featured on our website / social media
  • Ongoing artists support from our Management Team

What do we require FROM RESIDENTS?

  • Artspace Lifespace named as a supporter and our logo incorporated on any publicity, promotion material, PR if the R&D using our space results in a show / exhibition / event.
  • Images or video of you using our space for your residency.
  • Flexibility around dates
  • An email / letter of support for Artspace Lifespace and / or social media post to @artspaceuk #HereForCulture with a message about what our support meant to you.
  • Evaluation of your Residency and monitoring data if applicable. (Link to 2023 Survey: https://ee.humanitarianresponse.info/x/UXHkCNB8)

Plus one or more of the below:

  • A final piece showing (scratch event)
  • A talk or Q&A open to other artists (learning)
  • Mentoring a young artist (time)

Should you require, we would be happy to discuss the above in more detail in a 1-2-1 meeting to allow us to design the residency terms most suitable for you or your group.

BURSARIES

  • We have a small bursary pot giving one artist a £150 Bursary for each of our Venues (Island – Circus, Dance & Gallery x 3; Arts Mansion x 1, Sparks x 1, Vestibules x 1) to provide support to those who are underrepresented in the arts, e.g. artists who identify as being from the global majority, having a disability, as working-class, non-binary and trans-identifying. The bursary can be used to purchase materials or towards your time.
  • Bursary applicants need to be over 18 with no upper age limit. 

How to apply?

  • 200 words outlining your current practice, how you intend to use the space and the benefit you may gain
  • 100 words on why you wish to work with us
  • A list of your space requirements (which space you need at any of our projects together with the requested start and end dates)
  • 3 images of your work
  • Website and social media links to your work
  • Your proposal for your end of residency event which you think best suits your time with Artspace Lifespace i.e. talk, artist surgery, mentoring, performance or exhibition.

Please note that preference may be given to artists who have not already benefited from residency space at one of Artspace Lifespace venues or from the Invisible Circus LaunchPad residency scheme and evaluating your residency is a condition of your residency offer..

Contact info@artspace.uk to apply.

What we offer:

  1. Space in Kind at one of Our Venues:

The Island                https://artspace.uk/venue/the-island email: info@theisland.uk

10 residency opportunities across 4 rooms in The Island offering access of up to 20 hours of space in kind support.

  • 3 residencies in the Dance Space
  • 3 residencies in the Gallery Space
  • 3 residencies in the Circus Training Space
  • 1 residency in the Basement Venue

The Vestibules:       https://artspace.uk/venue/vestibules/ email: thevestibules@artpsace.uk

We can offer periods from 5 days up to 20 days of free residency space at our Deanery Road Vestibule between January and March. (Monday to Friday only as the Vestibules is not open at weekends).

Arts Mansion           https://artspace.uk/venue/arts-mansion/ email: artsmansion@artspace.uk

Residency periods for exhibitions, rehearsals and creative R&D in the Music Room, Panelled Lounges or Great Hall between Jan-August 2022.

Sparks Bristol         https://sparksbristol.co.uk/departments/imagination/ email: bookings@sparksbristol.co.uk

Residency space for exhibitions, free public workshops, and collaborative events. Our sustainability workshop residencies are now full but we have up to 9 residency opportunities at Sparks offering access of up to 20 hours of space in-kind support for R&D of new work including:

Dance X 3
Theatre x 3
Other Art / Performance

  • Staff Consultancy Support

We offer up to 2 hours of free support or consultancy with a member of our team staff as part of our residency (offer subject to availability).

When can I apply?

Applications for 2023 Residencies are now closed. Please apply for residencies from 2024 from October 2023.

Please note that we do not normally accommodate residencies between October-December.  

The Island is unique in that it not only offers a wonderfully exciting space in which to stage work or respond to it’s heritage in regard to site specific concerns, but it also fosters community and supports artwork. The Island is different; it is home to the challenging, the creative, the alternative and the adventurous. The Island is alive. The Island makes art work.

Thomas Bacon, performance artist & curator Tempting Failure

“It was a real pleasure exhibiting at The Vestibules. Kathryn was supportive and inventive in the early stages and Lucie and Dan were hands on deck and accommodating before and during the event. I will book that beautiful space with those wonderful people as soon as I have a new project to show.”

Tina Gue, – Photographer

How to apply?

Artspace Lifespace Residencies 2024

Please complete the form above where you will be asked for:

  • A list of your space or consultation requirements (which venue, space or staff support you need together with the requested start and end dates)
  • Website and social media links to your work
  • 200 words outlining your current practice, how you intend to use the space and the benefit you may gain
  • 100 words on why you wish to work with us
  • Your proposal for your end of residency event which you think best suits your time with Artspace Lifespace i.e. talk, artist surgery, mentoring, performance or exhibition.
  • If you are eligible and would like to be considered for a bursary.

If you are having trouble submitting via the Artspace Lifespace Residencies 2024 Google Docs form, please complete the form below and email info@artspace.uk with the subject 2022 Artspace Residencies. Applications can be submitted via video if preferred.

Blank-Copy-2024-Residency-ApplicationsDownload

Please note that preference will be given to artists who have not already benefited from Artspace ResiSpace or the Invisible Circus Launchpad residency scheme within the last 2 years.