Deadline: 12-Apr-2026
The Delfina Foundation offers a twelve-week residency for contemporary visual artists from Latin America and the Caribbean. Participants develop their practice through research, collaboration, professional development, and engagement with St Paul’s Cathedral, supported by mentorship, a living allowance, materials budget, and accommodation.
Overview of the Programme
The residency provides a structured, immersive environment for artists to expand their creative practice while engaging with a diverse network of professionals. The programme emphasizes:
- Research and collaboration within St Paul’s Cathedral context
- Engagement with artists, curators, academics, and researchers
- Professional development including portfolio reviews, mentoring, and crits
- Informal collaborative exchange among residents
Key Activities and Opportunities
Residents participate in:
- Guided visits to museums, galleries, artist-run spaces, non-profits, and studios, including trips outside London
- Engagement events such as presentations, studio visits, shared meals, and discussions
- Professional development through mentoring, portfolio reviews, and critiques
- Collaborative exchange via informal gatherings and communal activities
Funding and Support
Selected artists receive:
- Return economy-class flight and UK airport transfers
- Visa fee reimbursement if applicable
- Living allowance: £40 per day
- Materials budget: £1,000
- Access to London public transport
- Accommodation in a shared house with a private bedroom, desk, and shared facilities (bathroom, kitchen, laundry, library, dining)
Note: Artists must arrange and cover their own travel insurance including medical emergencies and coverage for loss or theft.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be contemporary visual artists living and working in Latin America or the Caribbean
- Demonstrate a prior interest in the relationship between space and spirituality
- Show how the residency aligns with their artistic goals within St Paul’s Cathedral
- Articulate how the international experience will benefit themselves and their local networks
- Be proficient in English for presentations and discussions during selection
How to Apply
- Confirm eligibility based on geography and artistic focus
- Prepare a portfolio demonstrating relevant prior work
- Write a proposal explaining the alignment of the residency with your artistic goals
- Highlight potential impact on local networks through the residency experience
- Submit the application according to Delfina Foundation guidelines
Why This Residency Matters
The programme fosters research, collaboration, and professional growth in a globally recognized artistic context. By engaging with St Paul’s Cathedral and London’s creative community, artists gain exposure to diverse perspectives, expand their networks, and enhance both their artistic output and local influence.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to demonstrate interest in space and spirituality in prior work
- Submitting incomplete applications or portfolios
- Not showing alignment of residency goals with personal practice
- Overlooking English proficiency for communication and presentations
- Neglecting to arrange travel insurance before the residency
FAQs
1. Who is eligible? Contemporary visual artists living and working in Latin America or the Caribbean.
2. What is the duration of the residency? Twelve weeks.
3. What funding is provided? Living allowance (£40/day), materials budget (£1,000), travel, visa reimbursement, accommodation, and transport access.
4. What is the focus of the residency? Research, collaboration, and professional development in the context of St Paul’s Cathedral.
5. Is English proficiency required? Yes, for presentations, discussions, and engagement with mentors.
6. Can travel insurance be covered by the programme? No, applicants must arrange and cover their own insurance.
7. How are residents selected? Based on artistic merit, alignment with residency goals, and potential impact on personal and local networks.
Conclusion
The Delfina Foundation residency offers artists a unique opportunity to develop their practice through research, collaboration, and engagement with a rich cultural and spiritual context. By providing financial, professional, and logistical support, the programme enables participants to expand their artistic capabilities and foster meaningful connections with both international and local communities.
For more information, visit Delfina Foundation.
