12th-21st SEPTEMBER 2025

Artist In Residence Application Information Pack

Thank you for your interest in our Artist in Residence Programme Please read this pack carefully before submitting your application. It will make completing the application form easier and give you more details about the programme.

The Artist in Residence Programme

The Artist in Residence programme was launched in 2019. Funded by the Ampersand Foundation, the programme offers an established, UK-based artist a 3-month period of dedicated studio time, based in an 18th Century cottage on the outskirts of Wirksworth.

We are looking for a visual Artist who would explore the area from an outsider’s point of view – the landscape, diverse architecture, industrial past and community, and develop a body of work based on their time here.

During the residency period the Artist should work in and with Wirksworth’s community of residents and Artists to create a new body of work in progress to exhibit during the Festival Trail Weekend, 13th to 14th of September 2025 – this might include sketches, small pieces, writings, audience talks or workshops.

The Artist in Residence will then use all their learning and resources to produce a final, major exhibition at Wirksworth Festival from the 12th to 21st of September 2026 of the work developed during and after the time spent here.

Previous Artists in Residence

Details of our previous artists can be found on the website at wirksworthfestival.co.uk/
artist-in-residence

  • Michael Shaw 2019 – 20
  • Liane Lang 2021 – 22
  • Jemma Gunning 2022 – 23
  • Feral Practice 2023 – 24
  • Stepf Kerek 2024 – 25

What we offer

  • A residency period of July, August & September 2025.
  • A fully inclusive fee of £3,000
  • The sole use of a restored 18th century cottage with adjoining studio. The cottage sits in a fairly isolated position, on a steep lane with no footpaths and is not on a bus route. It is 1.5 miles from the Town, and you therefore need your own transport.
  • Assistance and resources to mount the final exhibition.

Eligibility

Applicants should be:

  • A visual Artist with at least 5 years of professional practice.
  • Resident in the UK as a British Citizen or have proof of the right to work in the UK.
  • A visual Artist wishing to refresh and develop their practice.

NB: Artists are responsible for providing all their own equipment and materials and transport.

How to Apply

All applications must be made through the application form on the website at wirksworthfestival.co.uk/artist-in-residence and include the following:

  • A proposal of approx. 300 words detailing how you might approach the residency and what you would hope to achieve.
  • A relevant CV, maximum 4 pages.
  • Six images of recent work.

Image Requirements

Applicants are required to submit SIX good quality images for the selection panel.

The images should:

  • be a good representation of your work.
  • be less than 4 years old.
  • be the sole work of the Artist making the application.

As part of the application, you are asked for a description of each image which should include the media used to create the work, the size and title of the work (if applicable).

Image Size & Format

Please ensure each of your SIX images conforms to our requirements detailed below. Small, low-resolution images are unlikely to aid your application so take your time.

  • All your images need to be high resolution and saved as jpgs.
  • No individual image should exceed 2MB.
  • No image should be bigger than 2500 pixels on the longest side.
  • It is important you rename your images to fit into our system: You need to name the image with: Your surname, your initial and a number from 1 to 6.

For example: Wendy Young’s six images should be named:

Young W1.jpg Young W2.jpg
Young W3.jpg Young W4.jpg
Young W5.jpg Young W6.jpg

Timetable

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 17:00 on 7th FEBRUARY 2025

  • A shortlist of up to six Artists are selected by the selection panel and invited for interview.
  • Interviews will be held by Zoom or in person during April.
  • Please note the Festival is unable to pay expenses
  • Residency period July, August and September 2025.
  • Ending on 30/9/25 with an initial work in progress exhibition during the Festival, 13th and 14th of September 2025
  • Final major exhibition to take place during the 2025 Festival

And finally…..

Please add both our email addresses to the trusted contacts list in your email programme and contact book to ensure you do not miss our emails.
[email protected] and [email protected]

You can save the Application Form and complete it later. However, we recommend you get everything together and just complete the application in one go.

Make sure:

  • Your six images are formatted and named in the correct manner.
  • You have your image descriptions ready.
  • Your 300-word Artist Statement is written, checked and ready to upload.
  • Your up-to-date CV is ready to upload.

Any Questions?

If you have any questions about the Artist in Residence programme please contact
John Wheeldon, Festival Co-Chair on
Phone: 07788 101904 or Email: [email protected]