Running as two concurrent residencies for three artists each, the programme offers studio space in central London, a £3,000 bursary, mentoring support and a £3,000 project budget to develop a new work which will be presented as part of Somerset House’s cultural programme. In addition, artists will receive support and mentoring from the artist community along with wider Somerset House Studios residency benefits, all focused towards developing a sustainable professional practice for the long term.
The opportunity is open to UK based early-career visual artists within the first five years of their practice, with a focus on artists who are pushing bold ideas, engaging with urgent issues and pioneering new technologies. Somerset House particularly welcomes applications from those making socially engaged, and inclusive work, activists and critical thinkers; the experimental; those interested in cross-disciplinary working or collaboration. Artists should not be in formal education for the duration of the support (including part-time and post-graduate education). Somerset House are also interested in hearing from artists who have not progressed through formal art training routes.
Selection will be by a panel including Jerwood Arts Director Lilli Geissendorfer, Somerset House Studios Director Marie McPartlin and Producer Huw Thomas, and Somerset House Studios Resident Artists Jenn Nkiru and Imran Perretta.
Lilli Geissendorfer, Director, Jerwood Arts, said:
“We’re so excited for the early-career artists that will have the chance to join the creative hub that is Somerset House Studios. Listening to artists, it’s clear they thrive not just on the energy generated by an immediate peer group, but also on the support a wider network of supportive individuals with a breadth of artistic practices can provide. It’s this mix of a close cohort and the chance to get involved with the wider membership of one of the most generative spaces in the heart of London that we think will make this a truly unique residency.”
The Jerwood Somerset House Studios Residency is open for applications via the Somerset House Studios website. The Application Guidelines include details on the programme, eligibility, the application and selection process and access support for applicants including alternative formats and tailored support. The deadline for applications is 6pm BST on Sunday 29 May 2022.
The Jerwood Somerset House Studios Residency programme is part of Jerwood Arts’ strategy to refocus our support for the visual arts by establishing new partnerships and programmes in the visual arts, working with more galleries and visual arts organisations to strengthen artist development opportunities available nationally.
Find Out More
Find out more about the programme and apply here.
Read Jerwood Arts Director Lilli Geissendorfer’s update on Jerwood Arts’ refocused visual arts strategy here.
About Somerset House Studios
Somerset House Studios is an experimental workspace in the centre of London connecting artists, makers and thinkers with audiences. Located inside the repurposed former Inland Revenue building, the Studios offer space and support to artists pushing bold ideas, engaging with urgent issues and pioneering new technologies. It is also a platform for the development of new creative projects and collaborations. Up to 70 artists are resident at any one time and are supported to develop their practice for a defined period.
