Residency Open Call for UK-based Artists

Deadline: 16-Mar-2026

Gasworks invites UK-based emerging and mid-career contemporary visual artists to apply for its URRA Residency in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 7 September to 23 November 2026. The residency offers studio space, accommodation, a stipend, flight support, pastoral and curatorial guidance, and opportunities for artistic exchange, experimentation, and public engagement.

What is the URRA Residency Program?

The URRA Residency is a professional development program designed for UK-based emerging and mid-career contemporary visual artists. It provides an environment to focus on artistic practice, experiment with new projects, engage in artistic exchange, and develop networks without the pressure to produce finished work. The program also promotes participants’ work through public events and interactions with Buenos Aires’ artistic community.

Who is Eligible?

Eligibility criteria include: UK-based emerging or mid-career contemporary visual artists, including UK citizens living in the UK and artists who have been based in the UK for a minimum of seven years. There is no age limit. Priority is given to artists producing high-quality work who have not previously spent time in Buenos Aires and can engage critically and creatively with URRA’s environment and the city’s wider artistic context. Knowledge of Spanish is not required, though awareness of local language limitations is recommended.

Residency Details

Residency dates: 7 September – 23 November 2026.
Participants will receive:

• Single room accommodation at Casa URRA

• Shared studio space with access to general tools, facilities, and a library

• Weekly stipend of US $250 for basic living expenses

• One economy return flight from London to Buenos Aires with luggage allowance
  The program also includes pastoral and curatorial support, an informal schedule of gallery, museum, and studio visits, at least two individual studio visits with curators and arts professionals, a public presentation, a final open studio, and the submission of a final residency report.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted digitally as a single PDF file via email, maximum 10 MB, including:

1. Cover sheet with personal details and number of years lived in the UK for non-UK citizens

2. Artist’s statement (up to 250 words)

3. Minimum of ten images or equivalent documentation of recent work

4. CV

5. Simple proposal (up to 250 words) outlining residency plans

6. Any relevant supporting documentation
   Deadline for applications: Monday, 16 March 2026 at 1 pm UK time. Only the successful applicant will be notified during the first week of April 2026.

Why It Matters

The URRA Residency provides UK artists with an opportunity for self-led professional development in an international context. Participants gain dedicated time and space to experiment with new work, receive expert guidance, and engage with Buenos Aires’ vibrant artistic and cultural environment, building both creative skills and professional networks.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly articulate your artistic goals and residency plans in the proposal

• Include high-quality documentation of recent work

• Demonstrate engagement with URRA’s environment and Buenos Aires’ cultural context

• Highlight past artistic achievements while showing openness to experimentation and exchange

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Exceeding the 10 MB PDF file size

• Omitting required sections such as the cover sheet or CV

• Submitting incomplete visual documentation or insufficient residency proposal

• Applying if residency eligibility criteria are not met (UK-based for seven years minimum if not a citizen)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply? UK-based emerging or mid-career contemporary visual artists, including those who have been based in the UK for at least seven years.

2. When does the residency take place? 7 September – 23 November 2026.

3. What support is provided? Accommodation, studio space, stipend, flight, curatorial guidance, and pastoral support.

4. Is knowledge of Spanish required? No, though participants should be aware not everyone in Buenos Aires speaks English.

5. How should applications be submitted? As a single PDF via email, maximum size 10 MB.

6. What is included in the application? Cover sheet, artist’s statement, images or equivalent documentation, CV, residency proposal, and relevant supporting materials.

7. When will the successful applicant be notified? During the first week of April 2026.

Conclusion

The Gasworks URRA Residency offers UK-based contemporary visual artists an immersive opportunity for artistic growth, experimentation, and cultural exchange in Buenos Aires. With comprehensive support, studio space, a stipend, and public engagement opportunities, the residency enables artists to develop new work, expand their practice, and engage meaningfully with an international artistic community.

For more information, visit Gasworks.