Deadline: 27-Jul-2026
Applications are open for an eleven-week fully funded residency in London for early-career contemporary visual artists based in the Philippines. The residency will take place at Gasworks from 6 January to 24 March 2027 and supports artistic research, experimentation, cultural exchange, and professional networking. The selected artist will receive studio space, accommodation, travel support, visa support, a weekly stipend, materials budget, curatorial support, and access to London’s cultural environment.
Overview
The fully funded residency offers early-career contemporary visual artists based in the Philippines an opportunity to undertake an eleven-week residency in London.
The programme supports artistic research, experimentation, and international exchange through a self-led and process-based residency model.
It is designed to give the selected artist time, space, resources, and professional support to develop their practice while engaging with London’s contemporary art scene.
Key Focus Areas
The residency focuses on professional development, cultural exchange, and artistic experimentation.
Key focus areas include:
- Contemporary visual arts
- Artistic research
- Artistic experimentation
- Development of new work
- International exchange
- Cultural exchange
- Professional development
- Process-based artistic practice
- Self-led creative research
- Curatorial support
- Networking with artists and curators
- Engagement with London’s cultural environment
- Open Studio participation
- Support for early-career Filipino artists
Purpose of the Residency
The purpose of the residency is to support an early-career artist in deepening their artistic practice through research, experimentation, and international exposure.
The programme is non-prescriptive, meaning the selected artist is not required to produce a finished work by the end of the residency.
Instead, the residency encourages the artist to explore ideas, develop new directions, build networks, and benefit from professional support in a new cultural setting.
Residency Location and Dates
The selected artist will undertake the residency at Gasworks in London.
The residency will run from:
- Start date: 6 January 2027
- End date: 24 March 2027
- Duration: Eleven weeks
Who is Eligible?
The opportunity is open exclusively to early-career contemporary visual artists based in the Philippines.
Eligible applicants must:
- Be based in the Philippines
- Be early-career contemporary visual artists
- Apply as individual artists
- Have at least a moderate level of spoken English
- Be comfortable discussing their work in English
- Submit the application digitally through the online application form
Artistic duos and collectives are not eligible under the residency arrangements.
What the Residency Provides
The residency is fully funded and offers practical, artistic, and professional support.
Support includes:
- Fully accessible private studio with 24-hour access
- Accommodation in the Residency House
- Economy return flights
- Taxi transfers
- Visa costs
- Visa application support
- Weekly stipend of £175 for living expenses
- Materials budget of up to £800
- Prepaid travel card for unlimited travel within central London
- Studio visits with artists and curators
- Access to basic tools and audiovisual equipment
- Networking opportunities
- Participation in an Open Studio event
- Dedicated residency webpage
- Video interview
- Administrative support
- Pastoral support
- Curatorial support
Application Requirements
Applications must be submitted digitally through the online application form.
Applicants must include:
- Cover sheet with contact details
- Statement describing artistic practice and interests
- Statement outlining residency plans
- Examples of recent work
- CV or resume
- Relevant supporting documentation, if applicable
Applicants should ensure that all materials are complete, clear, and well presented.
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed by a selection panel.
The panel will include representatives and external advisors with specialist knowledge of the contemporary art scenes in the Philippines and the United Kingdom.
Priority will be given to artists who:
- Produce high-quality contemporary visual art
- Demonstrate strong artistic potential
- Present a clear residency purpose
- Have not previously had the opportunity to work in London
A shortlist of four candidates will be invited to an online interview before the final selection is made.
Important Dates
Key dates for the selection and residency process include:
- Shortlisted interviews: Week beginning 10 August 2026
- Successful applicant notified: Week beginning 24 August 2026
- Residency period: 6 January to 24 March 2027
Why It Matters
International residencies can provide valuable space for artistic growth, experimentation, and professional exchange.
This opportunity enables an early-career Filipino visual artist to engage with London’s cultural environment, connect with international artists and curators, and develop new ideas in a supportive setting.
By covering travel, accommodation, studio space, visa costs, living expenses, and materials support, the residency removes major financial barriers and allows the artist to focus on research and creative development.
How to Apply or Prepare a Strong Application
Applicants should prepare a focused application that clearly explains their artistic practice, residency goals, and why this opportunity is important at this stage of their career.
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Applicants should first confirm that they are early-career contemporary visual artists based in the Philippines.
They should also confirm that they are applying as an individual artist, not as part of an artistic duo or collective.
Step 2: Write a Strong Artistic Practice Statement
The artistic practice statement should explain the applicant’s work, interests, themes, methods, and current artistic direction.
Applicants should describe:
- What their work explores
- What materials or media they use
- What ideas guide their practice
- How their practice has developed
- Why their work is relevant to contemporary visual art
Step 3: Prepare a Clear Residency Plan
The residency plan should explain what the artist hopes to research, explore, or develop during the eleven-week residency.
The plan may include:
- Research interests
- New ideas to explore
- Artistic questions
- Possible experiments
- London-based cultural or artistic references
- How the residency may support future work
The plan should show direction while remaining open to experimentation.
Step 4: Select Recent Work Samples
Applicants should submit strong examples of recent work that clearly represent their artistic practice.
Work samples should be well organised, clearly labelled, and easy for the selection panel to understand.
Step 5: Prepare a Professional CV or Resume
The CV or resume should highlight relevant artistic experience.
This may include:
- Exhibitions
- Residencies
- Awards
- Education
- Collaborations
- Publications
- Artist talks
- Public programmes
- Community or research-based projects
Step 6: Show Why London Matters
A strong application should explain why working in London is important for the artist’s development.
Applicants should describe how the residency will support their research, networks, creative growth, and professional journey.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid submitting incomplete or unclear applications.
Common mistakes include:
- Applying as a duo or collective
- Not being based in the Philippines
- Providing a vague artistic statement
- Submitting weak or poorly presented work samples
- Not explaining residency plans clearly
- Treating the residency as a production deadline instead of a research-based opportunity
- Not showing why London is relevant to the practice
- Forgetting required documents
- Providing an unclear CV or resume
- Not preparing for the online interview if shortlisted
Tips for a Strong Application
A strong application should be clear, personal, and artist-led.
Useful tips include:
- Clearly explain your artistic practice.
- Choose recent work samples that best represent your direction.
- Show how the residency will support research and experimentation.
- Explain why London and Gasworks are relevant to your development.
- Keep the residency plan focused but flexible.
- Highlight your readiness for international exchange.
- Demonstrate how the residency will support your career growth.
- Use clear and confident language.
- Make sure all documents are complete and well organised.
- Be prepared to discuss your work in English if shortlisted.
FAQ
1. What is this residency opportunity?
It is an eleven-week fully funded residency at Gasworks in London for an early-career contemporary visual artist based in the Philippines.
2. When will the residency take place?
The residency will take place from 6 January to 24 March 2027.
3. Who can apply?
Early-career contemporary visual artists based in the Philippines can apply as individual artists.
4. Can artistic duos or collectives apply?
No. Artistic duos and collectives are not eligible under the residency arrangements.
5. What support is provided?
Support includes studio space, accommodation, flights, taxi transfers, visa costs and support, weekly stipend, materials budget, travel card, studio visits, networking, Open Studio participation, and curatorial, pastoral, and administrative support.
6. What is the weekly stipend?
The selected artist will receive a weekly stipend of £175 for living expenses.
7. How will applications be assessed?
Applications will be assessed by a selection panel with specialist knowledge of the contemporary art scenes in the Philippines and the United Kingdom. Four shortlisted candidates will be invited for online interviews.
Conclusion
This fully funded Gasworks residency offers a valuable opportunity for an early-career contemporary visual artist based in the Philippines to develop their practice in London.
Through studio access, accommodation, travel support, stipend, materials funding, curatorial guidance, and international networking, the residency provides a strong platform for artistic research, experimentation, and professional growth. Strong applications should clearly present the artist’s practice, residency plans, recent work, career stage, and readiness to benefit from an eleven-week process-based residency in London.
For more information, visit Gasworks.