Open Call: Residency for Artists based in South Africa or Zimbabwe

Their residency programme supports professional development, cultural exchange, and artistic experimentation. They host up to sixteen residencies each year, bringing artists from all over the world to London. All their residencies are self-led, non prescriptive and process-based; they are about enabling artists to research and develop new work, engage with the city, and build their networks.

They provide administrative, pastoral, and curatorial support throughout the residency, but they expect residents to be self-motivated, and to lead on the research and production of their own work, during their time with them.

Benefits

• The selected artist will receive:
  • 24-hour, 7 days a week access to a fully accessible private studio at Gasworks, alongside other resident artists, and a community of London-based studio holders.
  • Single room accommodation in Gasworks’ Residency House: a two-story house, with three communal bathrooms and a kitchen, shared with other resident artists.
  • Economy return flights and taxi transfers from the artist’s home country to London, including one cabin and one hold luggage.
  • All visa costs and support with the visa application process.
  • A weekly stipend of £150 to cover living expenses in London.
  • A materials budget of up to £800.
  • A prepaid travel card (TFL zones 1+2) for unlimited travel within central London throughout the residency.
  • Studio visits with Gasworks’ staff, external curators, artists, and educational groups.
  • An Open Studio event and presentation introducing the work and research developed during the residency.
  • Access to Gasworks’ basic tools and AV equipment, subject to availability.
  • A dedicated residency page on Gasworks’ website, including short video interview introducing the artist’s work, filmed and edited by Gasworks during the residency.
  • Networking opportunities and at least two individual studio visits with other artists, curators and arts professionals.
  • Administrative, pastoral, and curatorial support from Gasworks’ staff during office hours, from 10am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Duration

• The eleven-week, fully funded residency will take place at Gasworks in London from 6 October – 22 December 2025.

Eligibility Criteria

• The open call is for early-career contemporary visual artists based in South Africa or Zimbabwe only.
• Applicants should have at least a moderate level of spoken English and feel comfortable discussing their work in English.

Selection Criteria

• The artist will be selected based on their application by a selection panel including representatives from Gasworks and external advisors with specialist knowledge of the contemporary art scenes in South Africa, Zimbabwe and the UK.
• They prioritise artists making high quality work who have not had the opportunity to work in London before.
• A shortlist of four artists will be invited to a short online interview with Gasworks staff before a final decision is made.

Application Requirements

• Your application should include the following in one PDF file:
  • 1A cover sheet with your legal name, home or contact address, e-mail, and telephone number, as well as any relevant social media handles or website links.
  • A 250-word statement describing your artistic practice and interests.
  • A 250-word statement on your plans for the residency, outlining the work or research you would like to undertake in London, even if this is subject to change.
  • Up to 15 images or video/sound clips of recent work, with clear captions and short descriptions, if necessary (up to 100 words per artwork).
  • A CV/Resume (no more than 3 pages).
  • Any relevant documentation, such as articles about your recent work, exhibitions, or publications.

For more information, visit Gasworks.