Artist Residency

Artist Residency application details

Self-directed artist residency 2026

Creative Art Courses offers self-directed artist residency for practitioners in visual arts, craft, design, creative writing, and digital creatives, who are looking for a dedicated space to push forward your arts practice, whether for a special project, research + development of a new idea, or to finalise works for exhibition.

We are a central Manchester studio and are passionate about supporting local creatives who live and work in the North West looking to develop interesting, engaging, or challenging new work.

Our self-directed artist residency offers you a large creative space, with the opportunity to make our studio your home for the duration of your residency.

Individual artists, creative partnerships, or collaborators of up to 3 people can apply for our self-directed artist residency.

Each artist residency is for a self-selected time period within the available dates. The shortest residency is for 7 days.

The artist residency includes

• A 5^th floor studio full of creative vibes and positivity
• 5m² 5^th floor studio space
• Heating
• 24/7 access
• Free wifi
• Large windows with panoramic views over New Islington, Ancoats and Manchester city centre
• Studio equipment such as easels, drawing boards, tables, chairs, etc

Artist should supply

• Own materials and specialist equipment
• Insurance for personal artwork, equipment and belongings

At additional cost we may be able to

• Supply some stock materials and equipment
• Arrange supportive mentoring sessions

Location

• M4 7JA, Pollard Street, Ancoats, Manchester
• Located within AWOL Studios which is Manchester’s largest creative community of about 100 ‘creative industry’ creatives
• Lift access
• Free car parking during residency
• 5 min walk from New Islington Metrolink

Suitable for

• 2D visual artists
• Craft-based artists
• Digital creatives
• Writers
• Other creative processes will be considered on application

Not suitable for

• 3D sculptors
• Artists using fire or heat within their practice
• Artists using harmful substances
• Artists using noisy equipment

Artist Residency fee

• Fee: to be confirmed £?
• Number of days: to be confirmed
• Extensions may be possible if requested at time of application at £95 per day
• Payments:
  • To secure your residency a non-refundable deposit of £100 should be paid within 1 week of receiving our email notifying you of your success. An invoice will be emailed to the successful applicant.
  • Remainder balance of the fee will be due for payment no less than 4 weeks before residency start date.
  • Cancellations + refunds
    • More than 4 weeks before the residency start date – refunds will be subject to a 25% admin fee, unless your place can be given to another applicant in which case a 15% admin fee will be applied.
    • Less than 4 weeks before the residency start date – refunds are only given if your place can be given to another applicant and will be subject to a 15% admin fee.
  • It is advised that successful applicants take out travel insurance at the time of accepting the residency if you are staying in paid accommodation for the duration of the residency.
• Funding support
  • Creative Art Courses can provide successful applicants with a letter to support your application for external funding from charities, Arts Council, etc.

How to apply

Not yet open for applications

Please include within your email;

• Your name and contact details, along with anyone you plan to be collaborating with
• Dates of your preferred artist residency
• Up to 250 words explaining your creative practice (video or audio recording is acceptable)
• Up to 250 words explaining your intended focus during your residency week in the studio. (video or audio recording is acceptable)
• Up to 75 words explaining your intended outcomes from your residency (ie: what will you need to create for you to consider the residency a success?)
• List of materials and equipment you intend to use during your residency
• PDF documents to include, where applicable
  • CV (no more than 2 sides of A4)
  • Up to 8 images of your work with captions
  • Links to your work online (film, audio, written)

• Successful applicants will need to;

• • Read and agree to the terms of our Hire Agreement
  • Confirm acceptance of the residency by email and pay a 1st invoice of £100 deposit
    • A 2nd invoice for the remaining balance is payable no later than 4 weeks before the residency start date
    • Pay via BACS.  Details will be on your invoice. 
  • Email us to confirm payment has been paid, and to request a receipt of payment.

Accessibility

Our self-directed artist residency is open to artists and creatives from diverse backgrounds and with varying personal requirements. Unfortunately, our 5^th floor studio’s location in a 200 year old mill building makes it inaccessible to those with mobility issues who may be unable to walk up/down 5 flights of stairs should the need arise.

Privacy

Your application will be shared with the team at Creative Art Courses only and will not be shared with any third parties.