Artist-in-Residence
See application for further details
3-6 month residency
Durham Sixth Form Centre & Dead Dog Gallery
Durham Sixth Form Centre is excited to invite applications for two Artist-in-Residence (AiR) positions within our dynamic and thriving art department. These flexible, bespoke residencies (lasting 3–6 months) are open to artists from a wide range of disciplines and at various stages of their careers.
Our AiR programme supports creative practitioners in developing their own work while engaging with students and our broader community. The residency includes a public exhibition at The Dead Dog Gallery, access to professional networks, a range of art facilities, and structured opportunities for professional development and community engagement.
About the Residency
Based in the Visual Arts Centre at Durham Sixth Form Centre, the successful applicants will benefit from:
- Access to fully equipped facilities including a kiln, darkroom, printing presses, sewing machines, Adobe Creative Cloud suite, and more.
- The opportunity to engage with students aged 16–19 through workshops, tutorials, mentoring, and artist talks.
- A collaborative and inclusive environment where the arts are valued as a tool for social mobility, professional aspiration, and cultural contribution.
About Us
Durham Sixth Form Centre is an Ofsted Outstanding provider and Artsmark Platinum school. We offer a wide range of Arts and Humanities subjects at A Level and Level 3, alongside a Level 4 Foundation in Art & Design.
In 2023, we launched The Dead Dog Gallery, a contemporary art space in the heart of Durham City. It hosts a growing programme of exhibitions, residencies, and community classes and plays a central role in our mission to make visual arts accessible, dynamic, and professionally focused. “Your Artist-in-Residence programme is outstanding… [It] models career progression in the creative industries and reflects society’s diversity.” — Artsmark Platinum Report, Arts Council England
To explore our current and past projects, visit: www.deaddoggallery.co.uk
Residency Aims
- To support artists in developing new work and progressing professionally.
- To provide a safe, accessible, and well-resourced space to make and share work.
- To give students direct access to practising artists, promoting the arts as a viable career path.
- To support a public exhibition or alternative outcome to showcase the residency.
- To contribute to the development of The Dead Dog Gallery as a leading contemporary visual arts space in the region.
- To strengthen partnerships and lead excellence in arts education and outreach.
What We Offer
Successful applicants will receive a funding package of up to £1,700, broken down as detailed in the table below:
| Support | Amount | Payment Method |
| Research & Practice Development Grant | £500 | Paid directly to artist (60% at 1-month, 40% on completion) |
| Arts Excellence Fund (tutorials/workshops) | Up to £500 | Paid at AU rates |
| Travel Contribution | Up to £200 (£10/week) | Paid directly to artist / receipt claims |
| Residency Outcome Support | Up to £300 | Via receipt claims |
| Exhibition Promotion & Vinyl Signage | Up to £200 | Paid to printers by school |
| Printing Credit | £5/month | Via school printers |
Additional benefits:
- Studio space and secure storage
- Agreed use of specialist materials/facilities
- Opportunity to deliver paid community classes
- Free place on UK school trips
- Access to Durham Sixth Form Centre’s CPD/network events
- Support with CVs, interviews, applications, and references
- Dedicated promotion of your practice on our platforms
- Archival artist profile on the Dead Dog Gallery website, with professionally produced photography and video
Artist Engagement
You will co-design a bespoke programme of activity with our Arts Development Officer, which may include:
- A self-directed project
- Tutorials with A Level and Foundation students
- Artist talks, workshops, and technical demonstrations
- Portfolio advice and student mentoring
- Community engagement through public sessions
Residency Timeline
- Call Out Released: 12th June 2026
- Application Deadline: Tuesday 30th June 2026 (Midnight)
- Interviews: Week of 6th July 2026 (online)
- Inductions & DBS Checks: Week of 13th July 2026
- Start Dates:
- Artist 1 – September 2026
- Artist 2 – November 2026
Residency structure, length and outcome will be finalised during the initial contract meeting.
How to Apply
Please send your completed proposal form (download a copy to edit) to hannah.collier@durhamsixthformcentre.org.uk by Tuesday 30th June 2026 (Midnight)
We welcome video or audio applications in place of written forms to support accessibility. You can apply through:
- A single PDF document containing the completed proposal form
- A video or audio file (max 5 minutes duration for either type) containing the information required in the proposal form
- A mixture of written and video or audio application (eg. a PDF of your artist contact details and links to website/social media and an audio or video file of your artist statement and project proposal).
Please ensure that all video files are in MP4 format only and are no larger than 100MB, and that all audio files are in MP3 format only and no larger than 10MB. We are happy to assist artists who identify as having access needs with the application process, please contact us in advance if you require any adjustments for the interview or application: hannah.collier@durhamsixthformcentre.org.uk
Eligibility & Selection
We welcome applications from all backgrounds and disciplines. Artists will be selected based on:
- Quality and clarity of proposal
- Suitability for an educational context
- Potential for meaningful student and community engagement
Useful Links
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your proposal in advance, please contact: Hannah Collier – Arts Development Officer, hannah.collier@durhamsixthformcentre.org.uk
We look forward to receiving your application and welcoming new voices to our creative community.