Organizer Information
The Fitzrovia Quarter Studio Residencies 2026 are initiated by The Langham Estate, a long-established property and development organisation based in central London. Beyond its core real estate operations, The Langham Estate has, in recent years, developed an expanding arts and culture programme focused on activating underused urban spaces through contemporary art commissions, exhibitions, and community-led creative initiatives.
Since launching its cultural programming in 2025, the organisation has invested in transforming Fitzrovia Quarter into a visible creative district within London’s West End. Previous initiatives include a publicly commissioned mural on Mortimer Street, an open-call group exhibition at 55 Eastcastle Street, and “Fitzrovia Quarter presents: The Artist’s Corner,” a collaborative exhibition designed to strengthen relationships between local cultural institutions, independent artists, and the surrounding community. The residency programme for 2026 continues this trajectory, positioning temporary studio activation as a tool for artistic production, public engagement, and neighbourhood cultural development.
The programme is shaped in collaboration with a selection panel of curators, artists, and cultural professionals from London’s art ecosystem, ensuring a combination of institutional oversight and contemporary artistic relevance.
Title & Description
Fitzrovia Quarter Studio Residencies 2026 – “What Holds Us Together”
This open call invites six artists to participate in a fully funded studio residency located at 53 Great Portland Street, Fitzrovia Quarter, Central London, running from June to November 2026.
The residency provides artists with free studio space in a temporarily unoccupied office building being repurposed before future redevelopment. The central concept of the programme is the theme “What Holds Us Together”, encouraging artists to critically and creatively respond to ideas of belonging, community, shared identity, and the social fabric of urban life.
Fitzrovia, historically known for its bohemian artistic presence and dense layering of institutions, creative industries, and residential communities, serves as both context and material. Artists are invited to use the neighbourhood as a conceptual starting point, exploring how diverse histories, communities, and spatial conditions intersect to form a sense of cohesion within a rapidly evolving city.
The residency prioritises process over outcome. Artists are not required to produce a finalised work, but are encouraged to develop ideas, experiment, and engage with peers in a shared studio environment. A concluding public showcase exhibition in October 2026 will present selected works or ongoing processes to the public.
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Painting
- Drawing
- Sculpture
- Photography
- Illustration
- Textile Art
- Mixed Media
- Installation-based practices (where compatible with studio conditions)
Eligibility
- Open internationally, but applicants must reside in Greater London or within commuting distance of Fitzrovia for the duration of the residency
- Artists must be 18 years or older (by 01 June 2026)
- Open to artists at any stage of their career (emerging, mid-career, established)
- Individuals and collectives may apply
- No specific nationality restrictions, but no visa support is provided
- Suitable for artists whose practice can operate within a shared studio environment and the building’s physical constraints (stairs-only access, limited facilities)
Program Benefits & Awards
- Free studio space (approx. 11 m² per artist) for 8 June – 6 November 2026
- Access to shared facilities (common room, tea point, communal spaces)
- Inclusion in a curated group public showcase exhibition in October 2026
- Full production coverage for exhibition display and installation costs (subject to agreement)
- Opportunity to participate in public-facing studio events and open studio programming
- Potential inclusion in networking and community engagement activities within Fitzrovia Quarter
- No commission fees on artwork sales during the exhibition
Additionally, each artist will be required to donate one artwork to The Langham Estate’s emerging corporate art collection, developed in dialogue with the residency experience.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Completed application form (via link below)
- Portfolio of selected works (examples of artistic practice)
- Brief description of artistic practice
- Outline of proposed approach to the residency and thematic engagement (“What Holds Us Together”)
- Basic personal information
No strict formatting requirements are imposed; emphasis is placed on the quality and strength of artistic work rather than written presentation.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 15 May 2026
- Notification of results: week commencing 25 May 2026
- Residency period: 8 June – 6 November 2026
- Public showcase exhibition: October 2026 (exact dates TBC, approx. w/c 19–26 October)
Location
London, United Kingdom
Additional Details
The residency emphasises community, exchange, and informal collaboration between selected artists. Studio attendance is flexible, with 24/7 access, though regular presence is expected to maintain engagement within the cohort.
No production budget, artist fee, or materials funding is provided, meaning artists must self-finance their practice during the residency. Technical support is not available on-site, and applicants are responsible for ensuring compatibility of their practice with the available facilities.
The studio building is an adaptive reuse site with limited accessibility (stairs only, no lift access, narrow entrance), which may affect participation for some applicants.
The selection process will be conducted by a panel of curators, artists, and cultural professionals from London’s art and creative sectors, with evaluation criteria focusing on artistic quality, engagement with community/place, and suitability for a studio-based collaborative environment.