Starter Studios

To foster new talent and support early career artists, Yorkshire Artspace now run 3 Starter Studio Programmes: for Designer Silversmiths & Jewellers, for Ceramicists and for artists with Engaged Practice.  Designed to help ambitious and entrepreneurial artists who are at an early career stage to develop their skills and creative enterprises in a supportive environment, the programmes offer some or all of the following: access to shared workspace, equipment, technical and mentoring business advice as well as commission and exhibition opportunities. 

Because of the feedback we have received from early career artists and makers, we now welcome visits from prospective candidates throughout the year and will consider offering places to indviduals who show potential and commitment before our application deadlines.  To arrange a visit, contact Mir Jansen for the starter studio programmes for Designer Silversmiths & Jewellery and Ceramicists or contact Rachael Dodd for the starter studio programme for Engaged Practice.

Sheffield is a friendly and lively city with a population of approx. 700,000.  It has an attractive city centre and busy nightlife.  It has been claimed that Sheffield has more artists than any other city in England apart from London.  It is located on the boundary of the Peak District National Park with good transport links to other parts of the country - approx. 2 hours to London and 1 hour to Birmingham, Nottingham and Leeds by train.  The city has a great support network to help emerging artists develop their practice.  Cost of accommodation is cheaper than most other cities in England and we at Yorkshire Artspace are happy to help you find your way round if you decided to move to Sheffield.

More details on the specific programmes below.

Starter Studio Programme for Designer Silversmiths & Jewellers \ Persistence Works Studios

This programme has been running for 10 years and in October 2011 we widened the criteria for selection to include jewellers who make bespoike, one-off pieces and who can demonstrate a need for the use of the equipment in the shared workshop.  Over the years we have supported 18 early- career designer silversmiths who have used the workshop facilities and programme to kick-start their careers.  Based in a fully equipped silversmith workshop at the award winning Persistence Works Studios in Sheffield,  most of the silversmiths who have completed the programme have set up their own silversmith workshop, either in Sheffield or other parts of the country.

We are now accepting applications for the 2012 intake. You can download further details of the programme, workshop facilities and mentors from the right hand side of this page (scroll up) together with an application form. The deadline is Friday 13th July 2012.

We will be visiting New Designers in London on 28th June. If you like to talk to us, let me know and we will try to find you. Alternatively, if you like to arrange a visit to see the workshop and speak to our current beneficiaries,  make an appointment by email mir@artspace.org.uk or phone 0114 2130111.

Last July we selected silversmiths Zoe Watts, Alexander Kerrison, and jewellers Chiara Bet and Cathy Sutherland.  They started their programme in October 2011.  

The programme’s sponsor, supporters and funders are proud of what has been achieved over the last 10 years and delighted to have contributed significantly to Sheffield’s aim to remain the UK centre for innovative metalwork design and craftsmanship.

We will be offering places on the programme to selected applicants on a first come first served basis with the option to be placed on a waiting list if the programme is over subscribed. We can accept up to 4 places per annum. The maximum period to be on the programme is 2 years. There may be an option to stay on for a further year if the starter wishes to stay in Sheffield and is on the waiting list for a studio with Yorkshire Artspace.

Historically renowned throughout the world as a centre of excellence for the cutlery industry Sheffield still has a thriving infrastructure for the silversmithing sector and many established silversmiths have workshops either at Yorkshire Artspace or elsewhere in the city. The Sheffield Assay Office has sponsored the programme since it started in 2002 and has commissioned every starter for the annual Little Gems commissions which go onto display at the Museums Sheffield: Millennium Galleries for six months each year. Our bi-annual Galvanize Sheffield festival is also a showcase for much of the work made by our starter silversmiths on the programme and the next festival in 2013 will co-incide with the 100th year of Stainless Steel which was invented in Sheffield.

We advise potential applicants to visit this fabulous workshop and studio complex before applying.  If you like more details or want to arrange a visit, please contact Mir Jansen, manager for the Silversmith Programme on mir@artspace.org.uk or 0114 2130111.

Profiles and website links for some of our former programme beneficiaries:

Katey Felton, who now has her own studio at Persistence Works Studios and regularly exhibits at Goldsmiths' Craft Fair. She is known for her repousse and chasing skills.  She works by commission and has worked with local company Henderson Relish to make a special edition silverware range. 

Paul Butler, now has his own workshop in Wales and still visits Sheffield and our studios regularly to complete some of his work.  He continues to design and make knives and is regularly commissioned to make award trophies.  He also designs and makes jewellery

Rebecca Lawley,  lives and works in Stockport where she divides her time between teaching and silversmithing.  She exhibits her work regularly and will take part in Interchange at Butcher Works Gallery as part of Galvanize Sheffield 2011

Victoria Kershaw, still lives and works in Sheffield and has her own silversmith studio at the Academy of Makers on Arundel Street, Sheffield.  She still exhibits her work widely and also regularly curates shows at the Butcher Works Gallery on Arunder Street, Sheffield.  

Owen Waterhouse, after completing the programme, Owen continued to do his MA at Sheffield Halam University.  He now has his own workshop at Persistence Works Studios where he continues to work in mixed metals.

Maya Selway returned to London after completing the programme and now has a workspace at Cockpits Arts.  She is regular exhibitor with Origin and makes work to commission. 

Victoria Delany went on to study for her MA at the Royal College.  She completed her studies in 2010 and now works from her own workshop in Hertfordshire.  She will be selling her new candlesticks at Wolf & Badger London

Rebecca Joselyn, continued to set up her own studio in Birmingham but has recently returned to Sheffield and now works from her studio at Persistence Works Studios.  She is regular exhibitor at Goldsmiths Fair in London

Sarah Denny, works from her own studio in North Yorkshire and a member of Contemporary Applied Art in London.  Sarah is well known for her sculptural and intricate hand-raised vessel forms.  She is also a honorary member of Bishopsland Educational Trust.

Christina Spencer works from her own studio in High Peak, Derbyshire.  Christina makes silver pierced bowls and jewellery.  She recently became a mum and now combines motherhood with part time silversmithing. 

Sarah Stevenson, recently set up her own studio in the north of Sheffield where she continues to make her work.  Sarah is interested in colour and won best newcomer at Manchester's Northern Contemporary Craft Fair 2009.

Stefan Tooke still works in Sheffield.  His specialism is forging and has become known for his spoon and ladle making.  Stefan will make new work for Galvanize Sheffield and show his work as part of Interchange at Butcher Works Gallery.

Charlotte Tollyfield, still has a bench space in the Starter Studio where she continues to make her work.  She was nominated for the National Metalwork Award 2010 and will exhibit new work in Interchange, part of Galvanize Sheffield 2011.

Anne Davis, completed the programme last year and went on to study for a Design & Technology teaching degree and wants to combine a career in teaching and silversmithing.  In her work she combines her silversmithing and woodworking skills.

Andrew Sutherland is now in his 2nd year of the programme and has already been nominated for a National Metalwork Award.  He is interested in mechanical movement and has recently been commissioned by sheffield Assay Office to make his aperture bowl for Galvanize Sheffield.  This work is now on display at Museums Sheffield: Millenium Gallery until September this year.

Michelle Clare joined the programme in October 2010 and only stayed for one year.  She has benefited from a number of commission opportunities inlcuidng including the Lord Mayor of Sheffield's annual commission for new graduate silvermsiths adn a commission to make new work for the recent Galvanize Sheffield Festival

Sally Cox also joined the programme in October 2010 and has recently been offered a Sheffield Assay Office commission to produce new work for Galvanize Sheffield.  Her silver salt grinder is currently on display at Museums Sheffield until September this year.

Mentors for the programme are Brett Payne, Chris Knight and Maria Hanson with design and technical skills advice delivered by Cameron Maxfield.  All our mentors are experienced, nationally known silversmiths and regularly exhibit in the UK and abroad.  

The programme is sponsored by Sheffield Assay Office and Sheffield Church Burgesses Educational Foundation.  

"I am extremely proud of what has been achieved over the last 9 years and delighted that the programme has contributed significantly to Sheffield's aim to remain the UK centre for innovative metalwork design and craftsmanship".  Ashley Carson, Assay Master, Sheffield Assay Office

"Having established and renowned silversmiths as our mentors has given us a better sense of direction.  Because they share their knowledge and experience so openly, it has really helped with determining how to take the first and often frightening steps to setting up our own silversmithing businesses" Sarah Denny, Silversmith (and previous beneficiary of the programme)

Starter Studio Programme for Ceramicists \ Manor Oaks Studios

In August 2010, Yorkshire Artspace expanded its workspace provision with 4 brand new artists' studios in the Manor neighbourhood of Sheffield, approx. 2 kilometres from Sheffield City Centre, located on the site of a former deer park.  We have been working closely with our partner organisation Green Estate to develop these purpose built, eco-designed units which are especially suitable for crafts people.  With grants from Arts Council England - Yorkshire and Foyle Foundation we have set up a tailored starter studio and residency programme for ceramicists.   You can find out more about the development of these studios in the download report Manor Oaks Case Study for NFASP (national federation of artists studio providers).

We are now accepting applications for the 2012 intake. You can download further details of the programme, workshop facilities and mentors from the right hand side of this page (scroll up) together with an application form. The deadline is Friday 13th July 2012. 

We will be visiting New Designers in London on 28th June. If you like to talk to us, let me know and we will try to find you. Alternatively, if you like to arrange a visit to see the workshop and speak to our current beneficiaries, make an appointment by email mir@artspace.org.uk or phone 0114 2130111.

Our first two starters: Miles Gavin and Joel Neild were selected in 2010 and started their programme in October 2010. We selected Anne Laycock in July 2011, having just graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University.  She joined the programme in October 2012.  

In addition to the programme offer they also regularly share their studio with the resident artist who we select on an annual basis.  Edinburgh based ceramicist Frances Priest was our 2011 artist in residence and USA artist Edith Garcia was selected to be our 2012 artist in residence.  You can follow her blogs on her residency journal page of this website

We have an annual intake of 2 to 3 ceramicists.  If you are looking to further your skills and professional development as a ceramicist/potter and you need access to equipped space, mentoring, exhibition opportunities and ongoing business support then this may be the opportunity you are looking for.  You will be part of a small and thriving community of crafts practitioners, receive mentor support from established ceramicists, enjoy free access to our annual Starting Out course and will have an opportunity to exhibit your work at our Open Studio events.  We also hope to expand our offer of paid work opportunities through the links with the education and outreach programmes of Green Estate.  More information on our programme can be downloaded on the right hand side of this page.

If you like to find out more or arrange a visit to see the facilities for yourself, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Mir Jansen, Programme Manager at Yorkshire Artspace on 0114 2130111 or mir@artspace.org.uk.  Or come to our open day on Saturday, 12th May 2012, 11 to 4 pm.

NEW OFFER Starter Studio Programme for Engaged Practice \ Knutton Road Studios

The Starter Studio Programme for Engaged Practice is located at the Knutton Road Studios within the brand new SOAR Works enterprise  complex in the Parson Cross area of Sheffield.  

We have a new offer for early career artists interested in exploring and developing their socially engaged/collaborative/community focused practice.   From 2013 we will offer at least 4 artists each year the opportunity to develop and deliver projects within a community setting. These professional development learning opportunities will enable the artists to actively test ideas and explore approaches to engaged practice in a 'real-life' setting with full support from the partner setting, Yorkshire Artspace programme manager and mentors.  The artists will have access to the Starter Studio unit during an intensive period of time (e.g. 4-8 weeks) and each learning project comes with a budget attached.   We will be advertising these learning opportunities soon so sign up to receive e-newsletter via the 'newsletter' tab at the top of the page if you are interested in hearing more.  

If you like to find out more or arrange a visit of the studios and Parson Cross for yourself, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Rachael Dodd, Programme Manager at Yorkshire Artspace on 0114 2130111 or rachael@artspace.org.uk.