We Are Creators Artist Studio Programme

We support the professional development of emerging artists based in Cheltenham and Gloucestershire through our artist studio programme. An opportunity to apply for a studio at The Wilson provides artists with the time and space to help develop their practice, to enable it to thrive in new ways in the future. Benefits to the artists include regular mentoring, talks and workshops.

The programme is intended to support the professional development of emerging artists. A place on this programme could support you by offering time and space to help develop your practice, to enable it to thrive in new ways in the future.

You will benefit from:

  • An independent studio space at no monetary cost to you*, providing you the space to develop your practice for 12 months (with an option to reapply for a further 12 months**)
  • Mentoring from professional artist Bo Lanyon, offering invaluable guidance on forging a sustainable and ambitious contemporary practice
  • An exhibition space available (in the Community Art Gallery) for a one-month long group show
  • Creative production guidance and support for in house exhibitions from our team of creative producers
  • A supportive community of fellow resident artists
  • Free access to Creative Practice workshops and talks from visiting artists
  • Retail platform: a chance to sell selected products at certain times of the year

*The studio will be accessible 6 days a week during The Wilson’s regular opening hours and until 9pm on most Wednesdays.

**A maximum of one artist can be reselected per year

  • Applications are welcome from emerging artists from all visual arts disciplines
  • By ‘emerging’ we mean someone who has yet to receive a major solo exhibition and someone that has not had extensive media coverage for their work. We do not define an emerging artist by age
  • No formal prior educational qualification required, but we would expect you to have a level of experience and self-learning, plus evidence of independent practice
  • You must be aged 18 years or older
  • No upper age limit
  • You should not be in full-time education
  • Applications from individuals only
  • You live within Gloucestershire

  • You would commit 12 days across the year to shaping and delivering creative events such as demonstrations, workshops, interventions in the Wilson and other Cheltenham Trust venues, and other ways to contribute to The Wilson’s events programme, with the aim to enhance the cultural offer for the local community. In addition,
  • You would take part in the annual Cheltenham Open Studios programme
  • You would be an advocate for The Wilson’s activities including We Are Creators

We wish to keep a balance of working practice, gender, age and cultural heritage within the studios, and this will be kept in mind when selecting artists and allocating studios. All people who fit the criteria below are encouraged to apply, with no discrimination on gender, race, sexuality or disability.

The applicant,

  1. demonstrates an ambition to progress and develop their artistic and professional practice through this opportunity
  1. describes their need for a studio space and explains how they will utilise it during their proposed residency
  2. has a clear plan for how they will use their time and studio space across the 12 month period and what work they will produce as a result
  3. expresses a clear benefit to them from working alongside The Wilson’s team of creative producers and curators
  4. provides ideas to share their practice through the delivery of informal and creative public events which may include talks, workshops, demonstrations or interventions within the galleries
  5. provides visual examples of their work that demonstrate a high standard of artwork and that reflect a socially relevant, exciting and unique style.

Responses to criteria 1-5 will be valued on a scale of 1-10, with a total possible score of 50.

Responses to criteria 6 will be valued on a scale of 1-60, with a total possible score of 50.

Scores of 75 or above will be shortlisted for consideration by the Creative Community Panel.

We anticipate a high level of interest in this opportunity and regret we will be unable to provide feedback to everyone who applies. However, we will provide feedback to shortlisted applicants who are unsuccessful.

The Artist Studio Programme 2025 will run from January 4th 2026 to January 2nd 2027. To apply for our 2026 programme click on this link to our online application form. The online form opens on 1st August and closes on 30th September.

Accessibility: If you are unable to complete the online application form above due to disability, we will accept responses via audio or video file. You can access a simple set of questions via this link. Send your audio/video responses to oliver.tipper@cheltenhamtrust.org.uk. If your file is larger than 10MB you may need to send it to us using WeTransfer.com.

An initial shortlist is made by a team of staff at The Wilson which is then shared with the Creative Community Panel for the final selection of artists. Please refer to Selection Criteria to learn about the way we score applications. There are 7 places on the studio programme in total.

All artists will be notified about our decision on Thursday 3rd October.

Please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements.