Organizer Information
Hypha Studios emerged as an idea during the pandemic, prompted by the problem of increasing high street vacancies and deteriorating conditions for artists and creatives. Founded by curators Camilla Cole and Will Jennings, the non-profit organisation was set up with the objectives of bringing culture and public engagement with the arts throughout the UK, helping landowners keep their assets alive through local creativity, and helping artists access space free of charge. Since its founding in 2021, Hypha has transformed around 70 disused buildings into free exhibition and studio spaces across the UK.
Hypha operates as a charity matching creatives with empty spaces and regenerating the high street through cultural hubs and events for local communities, acting as an incubator for creatives to test new ideas without financial obstacles and reaching those who might not otherwise access space, support, or visibility. In exchange for free space, artists commit to organising public-facing events that benefit the surrounding community. The organisation has continued to expand, presenting over 170 exhibitions to date and recently opening its largest site, Hypha Gallery South Bank in Bankside, alongside Hypha Curates, a sales platform for emerging UK talent launched in October 2025.
Title & Description
Frieze London 2026 Open Call — Hypha Galleries London
Hypha Studios is inviting collectives or curators to apply for free exhibition space in London during Frieze London 2026, the city's busiest and most prominent point in the cultural calendar. Selected applicants will be awarded a gallery unit at no cost, on the condition that they organise public-facing events — such as workshops or talks — that support their creative practice and public understanding of the arts. Available spaces vary in size, with Hypha assessing suitability of different units for different applicants.
Categories
- Exhibition
- Curatorial
- Visual Arts
- Multiple Disciplines
Eligibility
- Open to collectives or curators (rather than individual solo applicants) proposing a group exhibition
- Applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK
- Applicants must have their own separate accommodation — the awarded space may not be used for sleeping or living, only for creative practice
- For long-term studio space specifically, applicants must confirm they do not already hold a studio space elsewhere
- Priority is given to those who cannot otherwise afford exhibition or studio space, and to creatives and communities most in need of support
Program Benefits & Awards
- Free use of a gallery/exhibition unit in London for approximately 4 weeks, running October–November 2026, to coincide with Frieze London
- No cash grant, stipend, or production budget is offered — this is an in-kind space award only, awarded free of charge in exchange for a public programme commitment
- In return for the space, awardees are required to organise public-facing events (workshops, talks, or similar) during their occupancy
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 16 August 2026
- Exhibition Period: approximately 4 weeks, October–November 2026 (coinciding with Frieze London 2026)
Location
London, United Kingdom
Additional Details
- The awarded space must be used a minimum of four days per week during the occupancy period, depending on the type of use
- Hypha Studios operates on a for-public-benefit basis: free workspace is provided in exchange for a committed public programme during occupation
- Demand for space exceeds current availability; Hypha notes that even applicants who don't hear back immediately remain under consideration as new spaces become available on an ongoing basis