Winter Residencies Programme 2025–2027

About the Open Call

The Winter Residencies Programme 2025–2027 offers four residencies with a structured program, workspace at the Pervasive Media Studio, a network of peers, plus financial, technical, and critical support. This opportunity is for people who make artwork with technology, providing time, resources, and freedom to develop an idea. There are two tracks: Track 1 (two residencies, Feb-March 2026) and Track 2 (two residencies, April 2026-Feb 2027). The theme is 'If These Walls Could Talk,' exploring stories embedded in spaces and the layers of presence that accumulate in our homes and shared places. The program seeks work that attunes to traces of past and future inhabitants and technologies that honor place itself, amplifying subtle communications between inhabitants and environments. The program emphasizes flexibility, accommodating both in-person work at the Pervasive Media Studio in Bristol and online engagement.

What is Offered

Time in residence at Watershed’s Pervasive Media Studio, a bursary of £2,750 (tax inclusive) plus £500 for materials, a travel bursary to support temporary relocation to Bristol, tailored support, a structured process with research blogs and sharing events, and a peer community. Additionally, a £200 stipend (inc. tax) is provided to those who complete both application stages. The program aims to be inclusive and accommodate all access requirements.

Requirements

Applicants must reside in the United Kingdom, be aged 18 or over, and not be an undergraduate student or student in full-time education. Ideas must be at an early stage of development, respond to the theme 'If These Walls Could Talk,' benefit from being developed at the Pervasive Media Studio, and blend art and creative technology (e.g., robotics, mobile, sensor-based, interactive screen, tangible, and/or immersive technologies). The program does not support film production (unless part of an immersive, location-based, tangible, or interactive project), projection (unless it uses mapping or interactivity), or image/sound works unless integrated into an interactive project. Participants are asked for enthusiasm, an open and experimental approach, dedicated research time, regular online documentation, participation in critiques, contributions to the Studio community, a sharing of ideas, and feedback.

How to Apply

The selection process has two stages. Stage One requires applicants to complete an Expression of Interest Form and an Anonymous Inclusion Survey. Twenty expressions of interest will be randomly selected to proceed to Stage Two. Stage Two invitees will attend a 30-minute application surgery (online or in-person with travel bursaries available), submit a written or recorded proposal (guidance provided), and attend an online interview (questions sent in advance). A £200 stipend (inc. tax) will be provided to those who complete both application stages. The overall timeline includes an Expression of Interest Deadline on Wed 1 Oct, notifications by Fri 3 Oct, application surgeries from Mon 6 - Mon 20 Oct, Proposal Deadline on Wed 5 Nov, interviews from Mon 17- Fri 28 Nov, and applicant notifications by Tue 2 Dec. For access requirements or alternative application methods, contact residencies@watershed.co.uk.