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Testing Ground is our residency programme at Exchange Place Studios, offering intensive periods of creative experimentation for artists based in Sheffield.
The programme aims to provide ideal conditions for making, including studio space and a materials budget. Studio open days provide opportunities for you to share your works-in-progress, while crits and 121s with arts professionals will provide more focussed feedback.
We are now seeking artists for our next two residency opportunities:
(1) You must currently live within the S postcode area to be eligible for this opportunity. Please note we are not able to cover travel or accommodation costs.
(2) You must be able to commit to being in the space for at least 2 weekdays (Mon-Fri) per week for the duration of the residency.
(3) Artists from any background and working in any discipline(s) are encouraged to apply. You do not need to have completed formal arts education.
(4) Artists who are currently studying on an undergraduate or postgraduate course are not eligible to apply.
(5) Artists who currently have a studio at Yorkshire Artspace are not eligible to apply.
To apply for this edition of Testing Ground, please complete our short application form by 10am on Monday 22 September 2025.
We expect to have made a decision and shared the outcome with applicants by Monday 13 October 2025. Please get in touch with Tyler Mellins at tyler@artspace.org.uk should you have any queries or access needs and we will be glad to assist.
In addition to this application, we request that you complete an anonymous Equal Opportunities Monitoring form so we can gather data about the reach of this application process.
Click here to complete the online Application Form
Click here to complete the online Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form (optional)
We accept video applications if they address the same questions as they appear on the form. To submit a video application, please upload ONE video file to Google Drive, YouTube or Vimeo so that they are playable in-browser without being downloaded, and email the link to tyler@artspace.org.uk.
The selection panel includes Tyler Mellins (YAS), Rachael Dodd (YAS), Ailbhe Clyne (Production Director, Studio Shonibare), Joseph Cutts (artist and curator) and Sandra Whyles (artist and Founding Director, Chapeltown Arts)
"This residency was a turning point for my work. I was able to experiment with installation on a large scale, think through ideas, and bring aspects of my work together in an integrated way. It has been instrumental in building my confidence and ambition."
"This is the most caring, artist-centred residency I have ever done."
"Testing Ground absolutely centers the needs of artists. Yorkshire Artspace took the time to really consider my practice and the support that they could offer. The residency helped me access the kind of support that artists need but perhaps don’t know how to get / ask for."
"[YAS] clearly has a particular sensitivity to the needs of artists and an acute understanding of what an artist in residence might really require."
"From the second I had my induction in the space I was made to feel welcome, encouraged and part of the Yorkshire Artspace family."
"The residency was flexible to what I needed and allowed me to think bigger. I enjoyed the public element of it. The text and photography have given me some strong tools to take forward in my practice and future career, which is really valuable!"
"The crit was particularly rewarding and was beautifully brought together."
"The crit was probably one of the best crits I've had, having people engage in conversation without any input was a different mode of crit I have not experienced before. I gained lots of feedback on the work."
"It was immensely encouraging that from just a few rich weeks of work I have created a web of connections with curators and creative peers."
Exchange Place is home to over 80 artists and makers who use the building regularly. It is situated in the historic Castlegate quarter of Sheffield and surrounded by the beautiful meadow planting of Grey To Green 2. Exchange Place is wheelchair accessible from the street level during office hours only (Tue-Thu, 10-5) and accessible via steps 24/7. There is a communal kitchen and accessible toilet on the ground floor.
The ground floor project space is a large open-plan space measuring 70m2. It has high ceilings and large windows overlooking the street outside. Partitions are available to break up the space, for example to create a more private desk area. The gallery has a storage cupboard containing plinths and other exhibition furniture; the artist in residence is welcome to use these items and also store their belongings in the cupboard.
You can find out more about Exchange Place here.
Established in 1977 by artists, Yorkshire Artspace has grown to become one of the largest and most established studio providers in the UK. We support artists by providing affordable city-centre studio space and creating opportunities for artistic development including exhibitions, crits, talks, workshops and more.
You can find out more about Yorkshire Artspace here.
Persistence Works Studios
21 Brown Street, Sheffield, S1 2BS
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Exchange Place Studios
Exchange Street, Sheffield, S2 5TR
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Charity No.1049370
Registration No.03034923