5k hybrid residency for disabled artists

https://baltic.art/ – 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.

We strongly recommend reading, watching, or listening to https://www.shapearts.org.uk/Blog/emergent-2025-call-out#FAQs – our FAQs before submitting an application.

Eligibility

• You must self-identify as disabled (download the information pack to find out more about the https://www.shapearts.org.uk/News/social-model-of-disability – Social Model of Disability and what we mean by ‘disabled’) and have experienced barriers to progression in your career
• You are within the first five years of your career*
• You are not in full-time education
• Your arts practice is socially-engaged
• You are UK-based and usually live in the UK
• You are over 18
• You are available October 2025 to mid-January 2026 inclusive, to take part in the residency
• You were not shortlisted or selected in 2022, 2023, or 2024’s programmes

*We recognise that the term ’emerging artist’ can mean different things for different people. You may have recently graduated, but you might also be changing career, or returning to an artistic practice after taking some time away. Whatever stage you are at, so long as you feel confident that you are within the first five years of your artistic career, even if this has been paused and resumed, you are welcome to submit an application. We will prioritise applicants who have not previously received significant funding, awards, or formal opportunities as part of their artistic career.