Residency Open Call for Artists Based in Italy

The Gasworks Artist Residency 2027 offers a fully funded eleven-week residency in London for early-career contemporary visual artists based in Italy. The selected artist receives studio access, accommodation, travel support, living expenses, materials funding, professional networking opportunities, and curatorial support to develop new artistic work.

Overview of the Gasworks Artist Residency 2027

The Gasworks is offering a fully funded international residency opportunity for an early-career contemporary visual artist based in Italy.

The residency will take place in:

• Location: Gasworks, London, United Kingdom
• Duration: 11 weeks
• Residency period: 6 January to 24 March 2027

The programme is designed to support:

• Artistic research.
• Creative experimentation.
• Professional development.
• International cultural exchange.
• Networking within the contemporary art sector.

The residency follows a self-led, non-prescriptive, and process-based approach, allowing artists to independently explore ideas, develop new work, and engage with London’s cultural environment.

Purpose of the Residency Program

The Gasworks Residency aims to provide emerging artists with the time, resources, and professional support needed to strengthen their artistic practice.

The programme supports artists to:

• Research and experiment with new artistic approaches.
• Develop ongoing or new creative projects.
• Build international professional networks.
• Connect with artists, curators, and cultural organisations.
• Gain experience in an international residency environment.

Residency Format and Support Structure

The residency is designed around independent artistic exploration.

Selected artists lead their own:

• Research activities.
• Creative development.
• Studio practice.
• Artistic production.

Gasworks provides support through:

• Administrative assistance.
• Pastoral support.
• Curatorial guidance.
• Professional networking opportunities.

Residency Benefits and Funding Support

The selected artist receives a complete financial and professional support package.

Private Studio Access

The artist receives:

• 24/7 access to a private studio at Gasworks.

The studio allows artists to:

• Develop new work.
• Conduct research.
• Experiment with materials and ideas.

Accommodation Support

The residency includes:

• Shared accommodation at the Residency House.

Travel and Visa Support

The programme covers:

• Economy return flights.
• Taxi transfers.
• Visa costs.
• Visa application assistance.

Living Expenses Support

The artist receives:

• Weekly stipend of £175 for living costs.

This support helps cover daily expenses during the residency period.

Materials Funding

Artists receive:

• Materials budget of up to £800.

This funding can support:

• Art materials.
• Production needs.
• Creative experimentation.

Local Transport Support

The residency provides:

• Unlimited Travel for London (TfL) Zones 1–2 travel card.

This allows artists to travel easily across central London for:

• Research.
• Studio visits.
• Cultural activities.
• Networking events.

Equipment and Technical Access

Artists may access:

• Basic tools.
• Audio-visual equipment.

Availability depends on Gasworks resources.

Professional Development Opportunities

The residency includes opportunities such as:

• Studio visits with curators.
• Meetings with artists.
• Engagement with educational groups.
• Professional networking activities.

Public Presentation Opportunity

The selected artist will participate in:

• Open Studio presentation on 13 March 2027

This event allows the artist to share their residency progress with audiences and creative professionals.

Digital Visibility and Promotion

The residency provides:

• A dedicated residency webpage.
• A short video interview feature.

This helps increase the artist’s visibility within the contemporary art community.

Who Is Eligible?

The Gasworks Residency is open to:

• Early-career contemporary visual artists.
• Artists currently based in Italy.

Applicants should demonstrate an active artistic practice and interest in developing their work internationally.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

Artistic Background

Applicants must:

• Work as contemporary visual artists.
• Be at an early stage of their professional career.
• Be based in Italy.

Eligible artistic practices may include areas such as:

• Painting.
• Sculpture.
• Installation.
• Photography.
• Video art.
• Mixed media.
• Other contemporary visual art practices.

Language Requirement

Applicants should have:

• Moderate spoken English ability.
• Confidence discussing their artistic practice in English.

English skills are required because the residency involves:

• Professional discussions.
• Studio visits.
• Presentations.
• Networking activities.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit their application digitally through the Gasworks online application form.

The complete application must be uploaded as:

• One PDF file.
• Maximum file size: 10MB.

Required Application Documents

The PDF application should include:

Cover Sheet

Applicants must provide:

• Full name.
• Contact details.
• Basic application information.

Artistic Practice Statement

Applicants must submit:

• A 250-word statement explaining their artistic practice and interests.

The statement should describe:

• Current creative work.
• Artistic themes.
• Research interests.
• Professional direction.

Residency Plan Statement

Applicants must provide:

• A 250-word statement explaining their residency plans.

The statement should include:

• What they want to explore during the residency.
• How Gasworks will support their artistic development.
• Expected research or creative outcomes.

Portfolio Materials

Applicants must include:

• Up to 15 images of recent artwork, or
• Video/audio clips of recent work.

Portfolio items should include:

• Artwork titles.
• Dates.
• Materials.
• Descriptions where required.

Curriculum Vitae

Applicants must provide:

• CV or résumé.

Maximum length:

• Three pages.

The CV may include:

• Exhibitions.
• Projects.
• Education.
• Awards.
• Professional experience.

Additional Supporting Documents

Applicants may include:

• Press articles.
• Exhibition materials.
• Publications.
• Other relevant documentation.

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Before applying, ensure that you:

• Are an early-career contemporary visual artist.
• Are based in Italy.
• Can communicate about your artistic practice in English.

Step 2: Prepare Your Application PDF

Prepare one PDF file containing:

• Cover sheet.
• Artistic statement.
• Residency plan.
• Portfolio.
• CV.
• Supporting documents.

Step 3: Review Application Requirements

Check that:

• The file size is below 10MB.
• All sections are complete.
• Artwork images and media are clearly labelled.
• Statements meet word limits.

Step 4: Submit Online Application

Submit the completed application through the official Gasworks online application system.

Why It Matters

International artist residencies provide important opportunities for emerging artists to expand their creative practice and professional networks.

The Gasworks Residency helps artists by providing:

• Dedicated studio space.
• International exposure.
• Financial support.
• Access to London’s art ecosystem.
• Opportunities to connect with curators and professionals.

The programme encourages artistic innovation and helps early-career artists develop sustainable international careers.

Common Application Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistakes

Applicants should avoid:

• Submitting incomplete applications.
• Exceeding PDF size limits.
• Providing unclear residency goals.
• Including weak or unrelated portfolio examples.
• Failing to explain how the residency supports their artistic development.

Application Tips

Applicants should:

• Select strong examples of recent work.
• Clearly explain their artistic practice.
• Present realistic residency objectives.
• Show how London and Gasworks connect with their creative goals.
• Highlight their interest in experimentation and research.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the Gasworks Artist Residency 2027?

The Gasworks Artist Residency 2027 is a fully funded eleven-week residency programme supporting early-career contemporary visual artists from Italy.

2. Where will the residency take place?

The residency will take place at Gasworks in London, United Kingdom.

3. What dates will the residency run?

The residency will take place from 6 January to 24 March 2027.

4. What financial support does the artist receive?

The selected artist receives flights, accommodation, visa support, a weekly £175 living stipend, and up to £800 for materials.

5. Who can apply?

Early-career contemporary visual artists based in Italy are eligible to apply.

6. Is English required for applicants?

Yes. Applicants should have moderate spoken English skills and be able to discuss their artistic practice in English.

7. What should the application PDF contain?

The PDF should include contact details, artistic practice statement, residency plan, portfolio materials, CV, and relevant supporting documents.

Conclusion

The Gasworks Fully Funded Artist Residency 2027 offers an excellent opportunity for early-career contemporary visual artists from Italy to develop their artistic practice in London. Through financial assistance, studio access, professional connections, and curatorial support, the residency enables artists to experiment, create new work, and strengthen their international presence in the contemporary art world.