Applying for the Artist Studio Programme 2027
Applications are now open for The Wilson’s Artist Studio Programme 2027. Find out below what the programme offers, who can apply, what we ask of our resident artists and how to submit your application.
The programme is intended to support the professional development of emerging artists. A place on this programme could support you by offering time and space to help develop your practice, to enable it to thrive in new ways in the future.
You will benefit from:
- An independent studio space at no monetary cost to you*, providing you the space to develop your practice for 12 months
- Mentoring from professional artist Bo Lanyon, offering invaluable guidance on forging a sustainable and ambitious contemporary practice
- An exhibition space available (in the Community Art Gallery) for a one-month long group show
- Creative production guidance and support for in house exhibitions from our team of creative producers
- A supportive community of fellow resident artists
- Free access to Creative Practice workshops and talks from visiting artists
- Retail platform: a chance to sell selected products at certain times of the year
*The studio will be accessible 6 days a week during The Wilson’s regular opening hours and until 9pm on most Wednesdays
- Applications are welcome from emerging artists from all visual arts disciplines
- By ’emerging’ we mean someone who has yet to receive a major solo exhibition and someone that has not had extensive media coverage for their work. We do not define an emerging artist by age
- No formal prior educational qualification required, but we would expect you to have a level of experience and self-learning, plus evidence of independent practice
- You must be aged 18 years or older
- No upper age limit
- You should not be in full-time education
- Applications from individuals only
- You live within Gloucestershire
- You would commit 12 days across the year to shaping and delivering creative events such as demonstrations, workshops, interventions in the Wilson and other Cheltenham Trust venues, and other ways to contribute to The Wilson’s events programme, with the aim to enhance the cultural offer for the local community. In addition,
- You would take part in the annual Cheltenham Open Studios programme
- You would be an advocate for The Wilson’s activities including We Are Creators
We wish to keep a balance of working practice, gender, age and cultural heritage within the studios, and this will be kept in mind when selecting artists and allocating studios. All people who fit the criteria below are encouraged to apply, with no discrimination on gender, race, sexuality or disability.
The applicant,
- demonstrates an ambition to progress and develop their artistic and professional practice through this opportunity
- describes their need for a studio space and explains how they will utilise it during their proposed residency
- has a clear plan for how they will use their time and studio space across the 12 month period and what work they will produce as a result
- expresses a clear benefit to them from working alongside The Wilson’s team of creative producers and curators
- provides ideas to share their practice through the delivery of informal and creative public events which may include talks, workshops, demonstrations or interventions within the galleries
- provides visual examples of their work that demonstrate a high standard of artwork and that reflect a socially relevant, exciting and unique style
Responses to criteria 1-5 will be valued on a scale of 1-10, with a total possible score of 50.
Responses to criteria 6 will be valued on a scale of 1-60, with a total possible score of 50.
Scores of 75 or above will be shortlisted for consideration by the Creative Community Panel.
We anticipate a high level of interest in this opportunity and regret we will be unable to provide feedback to everyone who applies. However, we will provide feedback to shortlisted applicants who are unsuccessful.
The Artist Studio Programme 2027 will run from January 3rd to January 4th. To apply for our 2027 programme click on this link to our online application form. The online form opens on 1st September and closes on 1st November.
Shortlisted applicants will be notified by 17 November 2026, with interviews taking place at The Wilson on 24 and 25 November 2026.
Accessibility: If you are unable to complete the online application form above due to disability, we will accept responses via audio or video file. You can access a simple set of questions via this link. Send your audio/video responses to oliver.tipper@cheltenhamtrust.org.uk. If your file is larger than 10MB you may need to send it to us using WeTransfer.com.
An initial shortlist is made by a team of staff at The Wilson which is then shared with the Creative Community Panel for the final selection of artists. Please refer to Selection Criteria to learn about the way we score applications. There are approximately 9 places on the studio programme in total.
Do I need to be a professional artist to apply?
No. The programme is designed to support emerging artists. You don’t need formal arts qualifications, but you should have an existing independent creative practice and an ambition to develop it professionally.
What do you mean by an ‘emerging artist’?
We don’t define emerging by age. For this programme, we mean an artist who is developing their professional practice and has not yet received a major solo exhibition or extensive media coverage for their work.
Can I apply again if I’ve previously been unsuccessful?
Absolutely. If you have applied for the Artist Studio Programme in a previous year and were not selected, you are very welcome to apply again. We recognise that artists and their practices develop over time, and a previous application will not count against you.
Do I need to live in Cheltenham?
No, but you must live within Gloucestershire to apply.
Can students apply?
Applicants must be aged 18 or over and should not be in full-time education. There is no upper age limit.
Are the studios suitable for all artistic practices?
Unfortunately not. The studios are relatively small and located within a busy museum and art gallery, so we cannot accommodate particularly noisy, messy or disruptive practices. There are also limitations on some equipment – for example, the studios are not suitable for most kilns. If you’re unsure whether your practice would be suitable, please contact us before applying.
Will I have my own studio?
Most of our studios are for single occupancy. Our largest studio is shared by two resident artists.
How often am I expected to use my studio?
We are looking for artists who can make active use of this opportunity and commit to using their studio on at least three days each week.
Can I work elsewhere while taking part in the programme?
Yes. You can be employed, freelance or have other professional commitments alongside the residency, provided you can commit to using your studio on at least three days each week and participate in the wider We Are Creators programme.
Can I see the studios before applying?
Yes. We will hold an Open Evening on Wednesday 30 September, 5–7pm, giving prospective applicants an opportunity to visit the studios and find out more about the programme.
What commitment will I make to The Wilson?
The Artist Studio Programme is about more than providing free studio space. Resident artists become active members of our We Are Creators community and commit time across the year to co-producing creative activity, engaging with audiences and contributing to the wider cultural life of The Wilson.
Do I need to take part in WILSON NIGHTS?
Yes. WILSON NIGHTS provides an important opportunity for our resident artists to share their practice, experiment with ideas and engage directly with audiences, so we expect artists to contribute to the programme during their residency.
What if I am disabled or have access requirements?
We want the Artist Studio Programme and application process to be as accessible as possible. Please let us know if you have any access requirements or if there is anything we can do to support you through the application, interview or residency. If completing the standard application presents a barrier, please contact us to discuss alternative ways to apply.
Why do I need to provide a referee?
We ask applicants to provide contact details for someone who can provide both a professional and character reference. We will not contact your referee when you submit your application; references will only be requested if you are successful following interview.
What should I submit as examples of my work?
Choose recent or relevant examples that best represent your current practice and the direction you would like to develop during the residency. You don’t need to demonstrate a large body of professionally exhibited work.
How will artists be selected?
Applications will be assessed against our published selection criteria, with shortlisted applicants invited to the next stage of the selection process. We are interested in the quality and potential of your artistic practice as well as how you might engage with the collaborative and public-facing opportunities offered through We Are Creators.
When will I know if I’ve been shortlisted?
We will contact applicants by 17 November 2026 to let them know whether they have been shortlisted for interview.
When will interviews take place?
Interviews for shortlisted applicants will take place on 24 and 25 November 2026 at The Wilson. If you are shortlisted, we will contact you with further details and arrange an interview time.
Can I get feedback if I’m unsuccessful?
Due to the number of applications we expect to receive, unfortunately we cannot provide individual feedback to everyone who applies. We will offer feedback to applicants who reach the final stage of the selection process but are not offered a studio.
Questions or access support
If you have any questions about the Artist Studio Programme, need support with your application or would like to discuss any access requirements, please contact Oliver Tipper at oliver.tipper@cheltenhamtrust.org.uk.
