2025 Group Residency is now open for applications. The deadline to apply is 12 February 2025, 12 midday GMT. Please read the information below and apply through the online form.
Group Residency at SSW is a highly subsidised residency that focuses on bringing together artists form 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 potluck meals.
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 over on our residencies page.
The 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/ facilaties and no experience is necessary in working within them.
If you want to fabricate work, have a set outcome or project to work on, Open Access is more suitable for these needs.
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 residency before, do not need to have undertaken formal arts training (we believe experience is gained in many ways, including through lived experience), or be familiar with workshop environments.
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 Regular Funding for Organisations (RFO) to the value of over £2750 per artist.
The cost includes accommodation, access to facilities and technical/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: 12 February 2025, 12 midday GMT
We will respond to all applicants: w/c 24th February 2025 GMT
Group Residency 1: 27 May – 20 June 2025
Group Residency 2: 18 August – 12 September 2025
Group Residency 3: 27 October – 21 November 2025
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?
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 online form however, if you are not comfortable using an online form you can email your application directly to sam@ssw.org.uk.
Resources
Application pack – WORD | PDF | LARGE PRINT
Frequently Asked Questions – WORD | PDF | LARGE PRINT
Application questions – WORD | PDF | LARGE PRINT
We have other formats available on request. If you would like a hard copy, large print, pdf, word or dyslexia friendly version, please contact us.
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 Sam Trotman on sam@ssw.org.uk / 01464 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. SSW is not liable for any costs related to visas, including if you are denied entry to the country.
As per current guidance (May 2022) creative workers including ‘professional artists’ from non-visa national countries can travel to the UK for artists’ residency without requiring a visa. If you plan to undertake paid work while here on residency we advise you check current guidance to see if this is legally permitted. We cannot provide visa sponsorship for artists coming on Group residency at this time.
Visa nationals are required to apply for a UK visitor visa to attend artists’ residency. There is more information on visas for artists visiting the UK on Arts Infopoint UK.
Contact
If you have any questions about the residency programme or SSW please contact SSW’s Programme & Partnerships Director on sam@ssw.org.uk or phone the office +44 (0)1464 861372 and leave a message so we can get back to you.
