Artist In Residence

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.

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.

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 2025.
• Application Deadline: Thursday 26th June 2025 (3:30pm).
• Interviews: Week of 7th July 2025 (online).
• Inductions & DBS Checks: Week of 14th July 2025.

Start Dates:

• Artist 1 – September 2025.
• Artist 2 – November 2025

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: alia.gargum@durhamsixthformcentre.org.uk by Thursday 26th June 2025 at 3:30pm.

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:
  aliagargum@durhamsixthformcentre.org.uk