Applications for Group Residency 2026 are now open.
Apply via this online form: 2026 Group Residency application form
The deadline to apply is Friday 23 January 2026, 12 midday GMT.
Group Residency at SSW is a highly subsidised residency that focuses on bringing together artists from a wide variety of disciplines to develop their own practices within our welcoming workshops and studio. Over the month we programme a series of inductions and intros to our facilities including ceramics, metal fabrication, blacksmithing and stonework, coupled with social spaces including sauna, artists sharings, film nights, walks and shared meals.
Group Residency at SSW is always experimental, collective and supported by SSW’s skilled team – we have written a little about what to expect from residency at SSW here.
Group Residency offers a combination of access to facilities and workshops supported by technical expertise alongside peer exchange and learning. This unique residency offers lots of possibilities in the development of artists practice. With this, the programme is particularly suited to artists who:
- want to test out new ideas or directions in their work
- are interested in connecting with materials and processes in our workshops
- are seeking connection with other artists
- value open-ended and experimental approaches to making
Group Residency is led by the selected artists’ practice and you do not need to work with all of our processes/ facilities and no previous experience is necessary in working within them.
If you want to come to SSW to fabricate work or have a set outcome / project to work on, then Open Access is more suitable for this.
Who can apply?
We welcome applications from artists who are:
- at any stage in their practice
- working in any form/medium/discipline
Artists do not need to have: attended a residency before; be familiar with workshop environments; or have undertaken formal arts training (as we believe experience is gained in many ways, including through lived experience).
The residency groups are formed carefully to bring together artists with diverse practices, experiences and from different geographic locations. This offers artists a chance to meet others working in different contexts and to make new connections.
Costs
Artists pay £480 per four-week residency.
This cost is substantially subsidised by SSW with the support of Creative Scotland’s Multi-Year Funding (MYF) programme to the value of over £3000 per artist.
The cost includes accommodation, access to facilities, technical expertise and programme support. The cost does not include materials, consumables, firings, food or travel.
We can provide letters of support for artists selected for residency who would like to apply for additional funding.
Dates
The deadline for applications: 23 January 2026, 12 midday GMT
We will respond to all applicants: w/c 16 February 2026
Group Residency 1: 29 June – 24 July 2026
Group Residency 2: 3 August – 28 August 2026
Group Residency 3: 21 September – 16 October 2026
How to apply
We want your experience of applying to residency at SSW to be straightforward and accessible.
We have a simple application process, in which we want to understand: what interests and excites you in your work? Why do you want to come on Group Residency at SSW? We also ask for documentation of your work.
Apply in a format that is comfortable for you – writing, voice memo/audio or video. We have no preference and will only consider the content of the application, not its production.
There is information in the Application Pack to support you to make your best application – please read this carefully.
We accept applications via this online form:
2026 Group Residency application form
However, if the online form is a barrier to you applying, you can email your application directly to arts@ssw.org.uk.
Resources
Application Pack – WORD | PDF | LARGE PRINT | AUDIO
Frequently Asked Questions – WORD | PDF | LARGE PRINT | AUDIO
Application Questions – WORD | PDF | LARGE PRINT
We have other formats available on request. If you would like a hard copy or dyslexia friendly version, please contact us.
Please also read our:
SSW Community Guidelines
SSW Accessibility information
Access
We welcome access riders and/or informal conversations prior to, and throughout the residency, about what you need to work and live comfortably on site at SSW.
We understand ‘access’ to be what you need to be able to participate in the residency comfortably. These needs may be physical, for example different heights of workstations or access to quiet space. They may be cultural, for example connections with different groups or organisations in the area, or space for worship. Needs may include communication requirements (email, text, phone), translated documents or space for your family (bio/chosen), an ally, support worker or travel buddy to stay. These are just a few examples, and we encourage you to get in touch before you apply, to discuss what we can put in place to support your participation in residency.
Contact Anna Lomas, Programme Producer by emailing arts@ssw.org.uk or calling the office on +44 (0)1464 861372 with any questions or to discuss access to residency.
Visas
We advise all artists travelling from outwith the UK to check current guidance on visas before travelling to SSW. As per current guidance (2025) artists who are Non-Visa Nationals and undertaking unpaid work can enter the UK as standard visitors for up to 6 months.
For information on visas for artists visiting the UK, please visit Arts Infopoint UK.
SSW is not liable for any costs related to visas, including if you are denied entry to the country.
Contact
If you have any questions about the residency programme or SSW please contact Anna Lomas, Programme Producer on arts@ssw.org.uk or phone the office +44 (0)1464 861372 and leave a message so we can get back to you.
