25 x 25 Art Gene 25th Anniversary Artist in Residence Opportunity

About the Open Call

In 2027, Art Gene celebrates 25 years of artist-led, environmentally aware placemaking, research, artist residences, exhibitions, and socially engaged art projects. Founded in 2002 by artists Stuart Bastik and Maddi Nicholson, Art Gene has built a distinctive legacy by hosting local and international residencies, curating exhibitions, and nurturing collaborations, often focusing on local issues and biodiversity in Barrow-in-Furness. This residency invites artists or collectives for a 25-day residency in Barrow-in-Furness to engage with Art Gene’s portfolio, ethos, and focus on 'the local', environment, biodiversity, and climate crisis impacts. Artists are invited to explore the interplay between people, place, and environment, drawing inspiration from Art Gene’s history to create fresh, future-facing work. The residency specifically calls for work that develops new or reimagined work responding to Art Gene’s environmental and climate focus, welcoming creatives interested in socially engaged practice and context-driven work. Residents will revisit or reimagine existing projects, respond to the archive, or develop new work aligning with Art Gene's values and context, exploring connections between environment, people, place, nature, and culture. The residency is 25 days, in the period September 2025 to February 2026, with a minimum of 5 public engagement sessions and at least 10 working days based in Barrow. The results are expected to be presented as part of Art Gene’s 2027 exhibition. The residency takes place at Art Gene, Old Technical College and Allotment Soup: the Isle of Walney Community Growing Space.

What is Offered

The total budget for the residency is £10,500, which includes an Artist fee of £7,500, Travel & accommodation reimbursement up to £1,500 on production of receipts, and Materials budget of £1,500. Free use of company e-bike when based in Barrow. A list of local self-catering accommodation will be provided. Artists will have use of outdoor space, pond, large sheltered polytunnels, Art Gene’s studios, fabrication workshop, and extensive range of workshop tools and offices on a 24-hour basis. The residency will be shared online with a dedicated artist’s page, promoted through Art Gene’s newsletter and social media.

Requirements

Prospective artists in residence will be expected to: Propose new interventions or provocations that address contemporary environmental challenges. Deliver meaningful public engagement through workshops and/or participatory events/your proposed outcome. Produce something that can be exhibited in a future exhibition in the Art Gene Gallery. Contribute to Art Gene’s ongoing mission of socially engaged, place-based practice. A minimum of 5 public engagement sessions and at least 10 working days based in Barrow are required. Artists are encouraged to use repurposed materials where possible.

How to Apply

To apply, please send: CV, Expression of interest and proposal (up to 2 pages of A4) detailing approach to the residency and community engagement, including evidence of exploring Art Gene's website and ideas on how to respond to existing work/s, 10 images of your work, and your access rider (optional). Also, complete the Art Gene Equalities Survey. Submissions via email to rachael.barker@art-gene.co.uk.