We'll send you a newsletter from time to time. Enter your details below.
We'll send you a newsletter from time to time. Enter your details below.
Testing Ground is a new residency programme at Exchange Place Studios, intended to provide an intensive period of creative experimentation for an artist based in Sheffield. It 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 121s and group crits will provide more focussed feedback.
We are especially seeking artists from outside our community, who do not already have studios at Yorkshire Artspace.
In order to get the most out of the experience, the artist-in-residence is expected to use the space at least 3 days per week for the duration of their residency. Please be aware we cannot cover travel expenses.
As artist-in-residence, you will host open days on which members of the public can visit to see you at work and ask questions. At the end of the residency, you will continue to be invited to crits, talks and previews at Yorkshire Artspace.
"Testing Ground absolutely centers the needs of artists. Working alongside such a supportive team at Yorkshire Artspace, who took the time to really consider my practice and the support that they could offer, was a huge confidence boost. It helped me access the kind of support that artists need but perhaps don’t know how to get / ask for.
It was brilliantly and generously put together, with regular points of interaction helping to create a pace. From the second I had my induction in the space I was made to feel welcome, encouraged and part of the Yorkshire Artspace family."
- Bethan Maddocks, Testing Ground resident September 2023
Exchange Place is home to over 80 artists and makers who use the building regularly. The ground floor gallery 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. Exchange Place is wheelchair accessible from the street level during office hours (Tue-Thu, 10-5) and accessible via steps 24/7. The gallery has a storage cupboard that can be used by the artist. There is a communal kitchen and accessible toilet on the ground floor. You can find out more about Exchange Place here.
To apply for this edition of Testing Ground, please complete our short application form by 9am on Monday 18 March.
Please note that you must have an 'S' postcode to be eligible for this opportunity. We expect to have made a decision and shared the outcome with applicants by Monday 1 April. 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. Please upload video applications to a Google Drive, YouTube or Vimeo so that they are playable in-browser without being downloaded, and email the link to tyler@artspace.org.uk
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
Directions
Exchange Place Studios
Exchange Street, Sheffield, S2 5TR
Directions
Charity No.1049370
Registration No.03034923