This residency open call is for an artist based in Central Africa (Angola, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Sao Tomé and Principe), who has already presented their work in several venues. The eleven-week, fully funded residency will take place at Gasworks in London from 6 January to 24 March 2025.

The residencies programme supports professional development, cultural exchange, and artistic experimentation. Up to sixteen residencies each year are being hosted, bringing artists from all over the world to London. All the residencies are self-led, non-prescriptive and process-based; they are about enabling artists to research and develop new work, engage with the city, and build their networks.

Gasworks provides administrative, pastoral, and curatorial support throughout the residency, but the residents are expected to be self-motivated, and to lead on the research and production of their own work, during their time with Gasworks .

This residency is supported by Mercedes Vilardell.

The Residency
The selected artist will receive:

• 24-hour access to a fully accessible private studio at Gasworks, alongside other resident artists, and a community of London-based studio holders.
• Single room accommodation in Gasworks’ Residency House: a two-story house, with three communal bathrooms and a kitchen, shared with other resident artists.
• Economy return flights and taxi transfers from the artist’s home country to London, including one cabin and one hold luggage.
• All visa costs and support with the visa application process.2
• A weekly stipend of £150 to cover living expenses in London.
• A materials budget of up to £800.
• A prepaid travel card (TFL zones 1+2) for unlimited travel within central London
  throughout the residency.
• An Open Studio event and presentation introducing the work and research
  developed during the residency, which will take place on Saturday 15 March 2025.
• Access to Gasworks’ basic tools and AV equipment, subject to availability.
• A dedicated residency page on Gasworks’ website, including short video interview introducing the artist’s work, filmed and edited by Gasworks during the residency.
• Networking opportunities and at least two individual studio visits with other artists,
  curators and arts professionals.
• Administrative, pastoral, and curatorial support from Gasworks’ staff during office hours, from 10am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Eligibility

• The open call is for contemporary visual artists based in Central Africa (Angola, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Sao Tomé and Principe), who have presented their work in several venues.
• Applications from contemporary visual artists of all ages, working in any discipline are welcomed.
• Applicants should have at least a moderate level of spoken English, and feel comfortable discussing their work in English.
• The residency is offered subject to approval of a visa application Selection Procedure

Selection Procedure

• The artist will be selected based on their application by a selection panel including representatives from Gasworks and external advisors with specialist knowledge of the contemporary art scenes in Central Africa the UK.
• We prioritise artists making high quality work who have not had the opportunity to work in London before.
• It is important that all applicants research Gasworks thoroughly before submitting their application, so that they are fully aware of the context that they would, if successful, be entering, and the kinds of artists we have supported before. You can see the residencies archive, here.
• A shortlist of four artists will be invited to a short online interview with Gasworks staff before a final decision is made.

Accessibility
Eligible artists from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The building is fully accessible, and arrangements can be made to provide fully accessible accommodation, if required. Due to the limited facilities, unfortunately it is not possible to  offer residencies to artistic duos or collectives, as the funds available for each residency, and the rooms available in our shared accommodation, are for one person only. For the same reason, it is not possible to accommodate partners or children, though artists wishing to spend time in London with their families may still apply, if they are able to arrange their own travel and accommodation separately.

All enquiries are welcomed and Gasworks is open to discussing how the residencies programme can be adapted to better cater to artists’ needs. If you have any questions about access requirements and the facilities, please contact eleni@gasworks.org.uk

How to Apply
Only digital applications are accepted. Please use the online application form at the end of the opportunity page on Gasworks’ website, here. Your application should include the following in one PDF file:

1. A cover sheet with your legal name, home or contact address, e-mail, and telephone number, as well as any relevant social media handles or website links.
2. A 250-word statement describing your artistic practice and interests.
3. A 250-word statement on your plans for the residency, outlining the work or research you would like to undertake in London, even if this is subject to change.
4. Up to 15 images or video/sound clips of recent work, with clear captions and short descriptions, if necessary (up to 100 words per artwork).
5. A CV/Resume (no more than 3 pages).
6. Any relevant documentation, such as articles about your recent work, exhibitions, or publications.

Please note that there is a 10MB limit on submissions. If your file is not in PDF format or is over 10MB, you will not be able to submit it.

If you would prefer to provide spoken rather than written answers for points 2 and 3, please include these in your PDF application as sound or video file links.

Timeline

Application deadline: 27 August 2024, 1pm (UK time)
Online interviews with shortlisted candidates: week beginning 10 September 2024
Successful applicant notified: week beginning 17 September 2024

Please note that we anticipate a high volume of applications for this opportunity. Regretfully, this means that it is beyond our capacity to respond to everyone individually, or to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants. If you are unsuccessful on this occasion, you are always welcome to reapply as and when the residency is readvertised.

gasworks.org.uk