Residency Open Call for Artists Based in East Africa

Deadline: 28-Sep-2026

Gasworks is inviting early-career contemporary visual artists based in East Africa to apply for an 11-week fully funded residency in London focused on artistic experimentation, professional development, research, and cultural exchange. The selected artist receives accommodation, studio space, return flights, visa costs, a weekly living stipend of £175, up to £800 for materials, local transport support, and professional mentoring and networking opportunities. What Is the Gasworks East Africa Residency? The Gasworks Residency Programme supports international contemporary visual artists by providing time, space, professional guidance, and opportunities to engage with London’s contemporary art community. The East Africa residency is specifically designed for early-career contemporary visual artists from eligible East African countries. The programme provides an environment where the selected artist can: Exchange ideas with artists and cultural practitioners. Receive professional and curatorial guidance. The residency lasts 11 weeks and is fully funded for the selected artist. Residency Duration and Location The residency takes place at Gasworks in London, United Kingdom. The selected artist receives an 11-week residency that combines independent artistic practice with professional development and cultural exchange. The programme is intended primarily for artists who would benefit from spending an extended period in London developing their practice and connecting with the international contemporary art community. What Does the Fully Funded Residency Cover? The Gasworks residency provides comprehensive financial and practical support.

The selected artist receives:

Private studio: Fully accessible studio space.

Accommodation: Single room in a shared residency house.

Return flights: Economy-class return flights to London.

Airport/travel transfers: Taxi transfers are provided.

Local transportation: Prepaid travel card providing unlimited travel within central London.

Professional support: Administrative, pastoral, and curatorial guidance.

Studio visits: Opportunities to meet Gasworks staff and external professionals.

Networking: Connections with London’s artistic and cultural community.

Online profile: A dedicated residency page on the Gasworks website featuring a video interview.

Together, these benefits allow the artist to concentrate on research, experimentation, and professional development without bearing the major costs associated with relocating temporarily to London. Who Is Eligible? The residency is intended for early-career contemporary visual artists based in specified East African countries.

Applicants must generally:

Be an early-career contemporary visual artist. Be based in one of the eligible East African countries. Have presented their artistic work at several venues. Demonstrate an established, though early-stage, artistic practice. Have at least a moderate level of spoken English. Be able to participate independently in the residency programme. Meet the relevant UK visa requirements. The programme is for individual artists only. Who Is Not Eligible? The current residency arrangements do not accommodate certain applicants or situations. The residency is also conditional on successful visa approval. What Does “Early-Career Artist” Mean? The programme is aimed at artists who have already begun developing a professional contemporary visual arts practice but are still in the early stages of their careers. Applicants should be able to demonstrate evidence of their practice through previous presentations, exhibitions, screenings, performances, projects, or other relevant professional activities. Applicants should therefore avoid treating the residency as an opportunity intended solely for people who are just beginning to make art. Artistic Focus of the Residency The programme supports contemporary visual arts and encourages experimentation and research. The residency is particularly valuable for artists who have a clear reason why access to London’s artistic ecosystem would contribute to their professional development. Professional Development Opportunities The residency extends beyond providing studio space. The selected artist can benefit from professional engagement with: Gasworks staff. Curators. Other artists. External arts professionals. London-based studio holders. Wider cultural and artistic networks. Studio visits and networking opportunities can help the artist gain feedback, develop relationships, and better understand the international contemporary art sector. Accommodation and Studio Support The selected artist receives a single room in a shared residency house. A fully accessible private studio is also provided for artistic research and development. The accommodation and studio arrangements are designed for an individual participant and therefore do not support partners, children, or group participation. Financial Support The residency’s financial package includes several forms of direct and in-kind support. Living Stipend

The selected artist receives:

£175 per week to help cover living expenses during the residency. Materials Budget

Artists can receive up to:

£800 for materials required for their artistic development and residency activities. Travel Support

The programme covers:

Economy return flights. Taxi transfers. Visa costs. A prepaid travel card for unlimited travel within central London. This substantially reduces the financial barriers associated with participating in an international residency. How to Apply Applications must be submitted digitally through the online application form on the Gasworks website. Applicants should prepare the required materials before beginning the application.

1. Complete the Application Form

Submit the application through the designated Gasworks online application system.

2. Prepare the Cover Sheet

Applicants must provide the required cover information specified by the programme.

3. Write an Artistic Practice S