Organizer Information
Blackhorse Workshop is a renowned social enterprise and open-access community studio located in Walthamstow, London. Founded by the Turner Prize-winning architecture collective Assemble, it serves as a creative hub dedicated to the "power of making." The workshop provides professional-grade wood and metalworking machinery to everyone from hobbyists to sole traders. Their mission is to democratize technical skills, foster a collaborative maker community, and improve social wellbeing through craft and hands-on creation.
Title & Description
Makers-in-Residence 2026 (Waltham Forest Maker Residency)
This residency is a three-month opportunity designed to support a creative practitioner at a pivotal stage in their career. Whether you are an artist looking to develop specific technical skills or a maker aspiring to launch a creative business, this program provides the space and tools necessary to navigate that transition. The residency emphasises community-driven practice and invites makers to explore how their work can promote creative health or address societal issues.
Categories
The residency is focused on Craft and 3D Design, specifically:
- Woodworking: Furniture making, wood carving, woodturning.
- Metalworking: Welding (MIG/TIG), blacksmithing (forge), fabrication.
- Sculpture & Installation: Interdisciplinary works integrating wood/metal.
- Product Design: Functional objects and furniture development.
Eligibility
- Residency Status: Open exclusively to residents of the London Borough of Waltham Forest.
- Career Stage: Aimed at early-career practitioners or those at a turning point in their practice.
- Inclusivity Focus: Underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply, including women, non-binary and trans individuals, members of the Global Majority, and individuals from low-income backgrounds.
- Attributes: Must value community-driven spaces and have a strong interest in wood and/or metalwork.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Workspace: Free desk space in the shared makers' studio for the full three months.
- Access: Free use of the wood and metal machine shops and benches.
- Training: Free health and safety inductions (including specialized areas like the forge and lathes).
- Mentorship: Development support through regular feedback sessions with specialist technicians.
- Professional Growth: Opportunities to develop teaching skills and engage with youth/outreach programs.
- Showcase: The opportunity to present work through a public event (talk, workshop, or showcase).
- Sustainability: A 20% discount on studio rent or membership for six months following the residency.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Personal Information: Contact details and confirmation of residency in Waltham Forest.
- Portfolio: 5 images of recent work showcasing your making skills.
- Motivation: Answers to specific questions about why you want the residency and how it will benefit your career.
- Community Connection: Information about your link to the local area or interest in location-specific research.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 4 January 2026
- Residency Start (Move-in): January 16 – 19, 2026.
- Residency Period: January 16, 2026 – April 13, 2026.
Location
Walthamstow, London, United Kongdom
Additional Details
Selected artists are expected to be active members of the workshop community during their tenure. On-site parking is available but non-bookable. The workshop operates as a practical, utilitarian space, and residents should be prepared to work alongside a diverse group of over 45 other designer-makers.