Applications are open for our hybrid residency and £5k bursary!

About the Open Call

Baltic and Shape Arts invite disabled artists and creative practitioners in the first five years of their career to take part in a three-month residency programme. Emergent combines digital and physical elements of delivery, supported by both organisations. Receiving an award of £5,000, the selected artist will take part in a residency where, in addition to receiving expert support and mentoring to inform their practice, they can use facilities and curatorial input to develop new or existing artwork. A showcasing or broadcast opportunity will be provided as part of the programme. A package of support will also be offered to a small number of shortlisted artists.

What is Offered

An award of £5,000, expert support and mentoring, use of facilities and curatorial input, and a showcasing or broadcast opportunity. A package of support will also be offered to a small number of shortlisted artists.

Requirements

Applicants must self-identify as disabled and have experienced barriers to progression in their career; be within the first five years of their career (even if paused and resumed); not be in full-time education; have a socially-engaged arts practice; be UK-based and usually live in the UK; be over 18; be available October 2025 to mid-January 2026 inclusive; and not have been shortlisted or selected in 2022, 2023, or 2024's programmes.

How to Apply

Apply now via Submittable. As part of the application we will ask for: A covering statement telling us about your work and how this residency opportunity will benefit you; A description of the barriers you have faced in starting your artistic career; A recent or updated CV or biography; Examples of your work, this can be attached as files (up to six images of your work or a video/audio extract no longer than two minutes) or an online portfolio/website; You will need to self-identify as disabled. We strongly recommend you read the Emergent FAQs document before applying. You can apply via Submittable which accepts text, audio and visual media. This means you can use the format most accessible to you. If you need support with your application, please contact us via exhibitions@shapearts.org.uk.