Organizer Information
The Art House (TAH) is a visual arts charity based in Wakefield, UK, providing time, space, and support for artists to explore and develop their practice. Established in 1994, it operates out of a purpose-built, award-winning accessible building that includes studios, exhibition spaces, and specialist workshops. TAH is renowned for its commitment to diversity and inclusion, particularly in supporting disabled and non-disabled artists to work alongside each other. For the 2026 residency, TAH is partnering with the Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL), a non-profit Commonwealth organization that has supported international arts and music for over 75 years, fostering global cultural exchange and providing a platform for international creatives in the UK.
Title & Description
International Residency Open Call 2026
This prestigious two-month residency is designed to foster international cultural exchange by bringing two artists to the UK to live and work at The Art House. The program is specifically aimed at artists who have not yet had the opportunity to work or exhibit within the United Kingdom. The focus is on professional development and experimentation; artists are not pressured to produce a final exhibition or object. Instead, the residency encourages "work-in-progress" exploration, allowing artists to utilize TAH’s high-end facilities—including print, ceramic, and darkroom studios—while receiving bespoke curatorial mentorship and technical support.
Categories
Proposals are welcomed from all types of contemporary visual art practices. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Visual Art: Fine art, painting, drawing, and sculpture.
- Digital & New Media: Video, artists' moving image, and photography.
- Specialized Crafts: Ceramics, printmaking (screen print, etching, laser cutting), and darkroom photography.
- Interdisciplinary: Live art, site-specific work, socially engaged practices, and performance.
Eligibility
This residency is open to artists living and working outside of the UK. To apply, you must:
- Reside in a Commonwealth (or former Commonwealth) country, the USA, EU/EEA member states, or Switzerland.
- Have not previously worked or exhibited in the UK.
- Be at any stage of your career (emerging, mid-career, or established), provided you are looking to innovate or extend your current practice.
- The Art House is a fully accessible venue and actively encourages applications from artists with disabilities or specific access requirements.
Program Benefits & Awards
This is a fully funded opportunity designed to remove financial barriers for international artists. Benefits include:
- Travel & Logistics: Fully covered international return travel and UK visa costs.
- Stipend: A per diem to cover living costs plus a dedicated materials budget.
- Accommodation & Workspace: Free onsite accommodation and a private studio at The Art House.
- Technical Access: Full access to TAH’s Print Studio, Ceramics Studio, and Darkroom, including support from onsite technicians.
- Professional Development: 1-to-1 coaching/mentoring with the TAH Programme team focusing on marketing, audience development, and critical practice.
- London Experience: A supported one-week visit to London (including accommodation at ROSL London) to experience the capital’s art scene during major events like London Gallery Week or Photo London.
- Networking: Organized visits to major regional galleries such as the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and The Hepworth Wakefield.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
Applicants must follow the format outlined in the downloadable information pack provided on the official website. Generally, requirements include:
- A simple outline, telling us what you would like to achieve through this programme, artistically
and in terms of your development as an artist. - A statement describing your practice.
- A selection of images relating to the proposal, such as previous or proposed artwork ideas
(please include these within your 5-page PDF if you are applying with written text). - A brief statement about your commonwealth (or former commonwealth), US, EU, EEA or
Switzerland connection. I.e. “I am a citizen of [country]”/ - Information on any barriers you have faced, past or present, to achieving your creative
aspirations - gaps or barriers in your practice / CV will not affect your application - Contact information.
- Links to website/ and social and your CV.
How to Apply?
Please submit your proposals to residencies@the-arthouse.org.uk
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 7 February 2026
- Residency Period: Two months between May and July 2026.
Location
The primary residency is located in Wakefield, United Kingdom, at The Art House studios. The program also includes a week-long stay in London, United Kingdom
Additional Details
The Art House is committed to making the application process as accessible as possible. If the requested email/document format is unsuitable due to access needs, artists are encouraged to contact the team to discuss alternative submission methods (such as video or audio applications). Artists are also encouraged to document their journey through a residency blog or social media takeover.