Artist in Residence: How to Apply

Every year we offer a special creative residency for artists or any creative group in Wandsworth at Sprout Gallery, 74 Moyser Road, London SW16 6SQ

About

Residency period: August 2026

The residency is an opportunity for artists and creatives across all medias (including writers) to use the Sprout gallery space for 3-4 weeks during August, including workshops and an exhibition in the last week.

A residency can provide many opportunities: a chance to change direction, to reflect on your practice, and experiment with new ideas, or it could be a time to consolidate an idea which has eluded you because you haven't had time to focus on it. No one knows what type of work will appear and this is both the challenge and the exciting side of a residency. This opportunity is for individuals or groups of artists/makers (including 3D) or writers to use the gallery as an open workshop/studio, making their practice visible to the local community as well as providing workshops, talks and/or demonstrations.

Residencies can be between three and four weeks during the school holidays and, depending on the length of residency, the artist/maker is also asked to provide between 3 and 6 workshops, talks and/or demonstrations where visitors can learn about, or take an active part in a range of creative activities.

Please note that, unfortunately, there is no payment to the artist for the residency although grants may be available through Wandsworth Council and other art grants.

You can find more about the residency and information on how to apply by downloading the PDF below or if you have any questions please email sproutcommunityarts@gmail.com.

AIR How to apply

Apply today to be our 2026 Artist in Residence: email sproutcommunityarts@gmail.com

Please email your application with 'Artist in Residence 2026' as the subject, to Sprout Arts by midnight Sunday 8th March 2026

Sprout AIR Committee will evaluate all applications and arrange to meet with the preferred shortlist of artists/makers between 10th - 28th March 2026 at a venue near the gallery or by Zoom
We aim to make the final decision by Monday 30th March 2026. This allows up to four calendar months for artists/makers to prepare before taking up the residency.

In your application email please include:

Your full details - including contact details
A short bio and social media links
What dates you will be available. At a minimum the AIR must commit to being present in Sprout Arts for 20 hours per week, for at least 3 weeks between 3 - 29 August.
Your plans for the residency, including what you'd like to achieve, eg a focus on a particular medium or creative practice.
A short proposal to explain the theme/focus and how the public might be engaged.
Examples of previous work (links to social media, images, websites)

Sprout Community Arts offers:

Free use of the Sprout Arts gallery for three to four weeks for an individual or group. Please note that, unfortunately, there is no payment for the residency (see end of document for possible grants)

Our Gallery enjoys:

Good natural light - Large wall and window display areas
Good floor space with large melamine top table (if required)
A wall hanging system for displaying works
WIFI connection
A digital screen
Kettle, fridge
Radio: Please note, we have a music licence permitting the use of a radio only, so no streaming of any kind is permitted (i.e. Spotify, BBC player, Netflix etc)
one toilet and one small wash-hand basin
one large table, with chairs and folding tables available
electric points
First Aid kit & Fire extinguisher
Lighting and infrared ceiling heaters,
Payment card reader
Free on street parking
Publicity and marketing through Sprout’s promotional channels
A nominated person to act as a link person during the Residency. Support from the Sprout Arts committee and/or volunteers may be available also if requested in advance
Access to Sprout Arts membership of the ‘Work and Play’ Scrap Store where the artist may obtain an interesting assortment of materials

What Sprout Art asks for in support of the application:

The artist/maker/writer is encouraged to have a theme for the residency or a focus on a particular medium or creative practice. This will be used in publicity and is an important aspect of engagement
A short proposal to explain the theme/focus and how the public might be engaged. Please include the dates you would like to undertake the residency
Examples of previous work
Shortlisted artists will be invited to present their ideas to Sprout Arts for discussion before a final decision is made.

What the Artist(s) In Residence (AIR) can do during the residency:

Continue to explore and develop their working practice within the Sprout Arts space
Invite fellow artists/makers to join in with the AIR project
Promote on their social media and invite their own mailing list and friends
Give talks about the work, Q&A sessions, slide shows etc
Provide teaching workshops (Sprout Arts receive 20% commission). Further guidance on running workshops is available as needed
Sell work. Sprout Arts will expect a commission of 20-30% (depending on sale price) on sales
You can use the space whenever you like (but must close by 9pm). Opening hours will be agreed beforehand and form part of our agreement with you.
Do NOT Leave Sprout Arts unlocked and unattended at any time. In unforeseen circumstances, volunteer help may be available at short notice if needed but is not guaranteed. DO NOT close the shop at short notice, or fail to open without warning

Requirements for AIR applicants:

The AIR must be a member of Sprout Arts, annual artist's membership is £20
The AIR will be asked for a refundable deposit of £100 before starting the residency in case of any damage or mess
The AIR must meet with a Sprout committee member before the residency and complete a formal agreement
The AIR must be adequately insured e.g. via A-N, and provide evidence of insurance
Sprout Arts is normally open 11am to 5pm from Tuesday to Saturday (30 hours per week). At a minimum the AIR must commit to being present in Sprout Arts for 20 hours per week. Previous AIR have had friends and fellow artists to help support them eg selling merchandise while you’re working. Or Sprout may be able to find volunteers to help
You can use the space earlier than 11am (but must close by 9pm). Once the residency is decided, opening hours will be agreed beforehand and form part of our agreement with you. In unforeseen circumstances, volunteer help may be available at short notice if needed but is not guaranteed
Public engagement is part of the residency, the AIR must be willing to allow the public the chance to see them at work at set times
Sprout Arts would require photographs of the residency to use for future reference, reporting and marketing purposes
Sprout Arts also sells Artists’ cards and small gifts. The AIR must record and process sales for other items in the gallery and ensure the security of the till (training will be given)
The AIR must ensure the security of Sprout Arts by locking up when leaving. Any evening work or events must finish by 9 pm
Any food and perishables must be removed at the end of the Residency
Recycling and waste must be bagged up for collection on a Tuesday evening at a designated place.
The AIR must leave the space as found and have the handover at the end of Residency signed off by a Sprout representative.

Timeline

Deadline for applications

Applications must be received by email by Sunday 8 March 2026, at sproutcommunityarts@gmail.com
Sprout AIR Committee will evaluate all applications and arrange to meet with the preferred shortlist of artists/makers between at a venue near the gallery or by Zoom
We aim to make the final decision in time for artists to apply for grants. Up to four calendar months for artists/makers to prepare before taking up the residency.

Grants

NB As no payment is provided for the Residency it is the artist/maker’s responsibility to ensure that they are free to attend for a minimum of 20 hours per week and/or that any paid work fits in around the Residency.

Grants may be available through Wandsworth.gov.uk - eg Wandsworth Grant Fund