Activate our Artist in Residence Studio this Summer: Share your process. Test an idea. Meet new audiences. Bring the studio to life. Something different every week.

Throughout the summer holidays, we are throwing open the doors to our Artist in Residence Studio to be taken over by artists, makers and creative practitioners, each bringing their own ideas, processes and creative energy to the space.

We're looking for artists who want to experiment, engage visitors, share their practice or simply make use of a unique studio setting.

Whether you're interested in working publicly, running a workshop, creating an installation or testing a new idea, we'd love to hear from you.

To apply, please click here: https://forms.gle/MPzsJZM2fUXU...

About the opportunity

The Watts Gallery Artist in Residence Studio will be available throughout the summer holidays for a series of artist-led takeovers. This is not a formal residency or commissioned opportunity. There is no participation fee, but selected artists will benefit from:

-Free use of the Artist in Residence Studio (18.1 sq. m)
-Promotion through Watts Gallery's website and social media channels
-The opportunity to sell work (subject to partnership agreement, commission applied)
-The opportunity to run paid workshops (subject to partnership agreement, commission applied)
-The chance to connect with a high footfall of Watts Gallery visitors during the summer holidays
-A supportive environment to test new ideas and share creative practice

We're looking for...

Artists, makers, illustrators, designers, craftspeople, writers, photographers, printmakers, textile artists, performers and creative practitioners at any stage of their career.

Applications from individuals, collectives and community groups are all welcome.

We welcome proposals such as...

Working Studio
Use the studio as your workspace while visitors observe your practice and chat with you throughout the day.

Workshops
Deliver creative workshops for families or adults.

Pop-up Exhibition
Create a temporary exhibition or installation.

Interactive Projects
Invite visitors to contribute to a collaborative artwork over the course of your takeover.

Artist Market
Combine making with selling your work.

Something Completely Different!
We'd love to receive imaginative proposals.

If you have an idea we haven't thought of, we'd love to hear it.

What we're looking for

Successful proposals will demonstrate some of the following:

-A creative and original idea
-Visitor engagement or participation
-A connection to Watts Gallery, its collections, grounds or surrounding landscape (this can be interpreted broadly)
-Practicality and feasibility
-The ability to work independently within the space

Dates Available

The Studio Takeover will be live from 1st to 31 August. Takeovers can be:

-One day
-One weekend
-Up to one week

We'll work with successful applicants to agree suitable dates across the summer holiday period.

Who can apply?

Applications are welcome from:

-Emerging artists
-Established artists
-Collectives
-Community groups
-Recent graduates
-Local and regional creatives

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by the Watts Gallery team.

Selection will be based on:

-Creativity
-Visitor appeal
-Suitability for the space
-Feasibility
-Variety across the overall programme

As places are limited, we unfortunately won't be able to offer places to every applicant. Selected applicants will be asked to sign a short partnership agreement and agree to provide necessary risk assessments for proposed activity.

Key dates

Application Deadline: 19th July 2026

Successful Applicants Notified: 27th July 2026

Programme Runs: 1st – 31st August 2026

Questions?

If you have any questions before applying, please contact: learning@wattsgallery.org.uk