Studio Residency Opportunity in Kirkcudbright For Artists aged 25 and Under

Introduction
Wasps Studios invites you to apply for an exciting new artists residency programme in the beautiful rural town of Kirkcudbright in Dumfries and Galloway. Working in partnership with the Holywood Trust, we have created this new opportunity for two artists aged 25 or under who either already live in Dumfries and Galloway or have a connection with the region. Our overarching aim is to encourage young contemporary artists to base their career in Dumfries and Galloway. The residency will be based in our stunning studio complex, Cannonwalls & Claverhouse, for the period of one year. The complex was redeveloped in 2010 by converting two neighbouring townhouses into 14 studios for artists living and working in the region.

The Residency
This studio residency is a fantastic opportunity for professional development at the beginning of your career. If selected, you will get the time, space and seed funding to research, develop and exhibit a new body of work. Meantime, you can enjoy the experience of working in a professional studio community alongside artists of different disciplines and at different stages in their career. There are two residency places available. Each is worth 5500 and the successful artist will get: A free studio space for one year at Cannonwalls & Claverhouse, Kirkcudbright 1000 budget for the research and development of new work 1200 towards locating a venue to stage & promote your own exhibition (with support from Wasps and other local artists) 2600 contribution towards living expenses for the year There will also be an opportunity to open your studio and show your artwork to new audiences as part of the highly popular Spring Fling event (June) and Wasps Artists Open Studios Weekend (October).

Eligibility & How to Apply

If you would like to apply for this residency then please send the following: Six images of your art work in a digital format (max size of 2 MB per image) A statement about your practice An up to date C.V. Up to 400 words (maximum) outlining why you would like to be selected for the residency; how you are connected to D&G; how you would spend your time in Kirkcudbright and what kind of work you would like to develop Our criteria for selection will include the following considerations: That you are 25 years of age or under

A formal arts education / training. Although a degree in fine arts is preferable, it is not essential. This means you are also eligible if you have completed a local arts course and do not intend to leave the region to study at degree level. A connection to the region. Ideally we would like young people that originally come from D&G and are returning, or who are already based in the region. However, we are open to hearing about other ways you are linked to the region. Quality and uniqueness of artistic work/practice

Applications will be reviewed by a panel consisting of representatives from Wasps staff and the local studio community; the Director of the Holywood Trust, Karen Ward Boyd; and former D&G Council Visual Arts Officer and professional photographer, Colin Tennant. Please post or email your application to the address below.

Timeline
The deadline for applications is 30th April 2102. A shortlist of artists will be invited to an interview in Kirkcudbright on 18th May 2012. Applicants will hear if they have been successful or not by 23rd May 2012. Ideally, the residency will start on 1st August 2012 and finish by 31st July 2013. However, there could be some flexibility in the dates for the most suitable artists.

About the place

D&G is an exciting place to be right now. A strong network of creative people has emerged recently to collaborate and drive forward some exciting artist-led initiatives, including The Stove in Dumfries. For more info about the artist community you can visit the http://thecommonty.blogspot.co.uk. The region is a special place with a unique ecology and diversity of landscape. For example, the Galloway Forest Park (near to Kirkcudbright) is the UKs first Dark Sky Park. The forest is pitch black due to minimal light pollution and is one of the best places for stargazing in the world. Plans are also underway to create a new style UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Galloway and Southern Ayrshire. If approved, the area will have an international accolade which demonstrates how nature conservation and sustainable development go hand in hand. Kirkcudbright itself is set in a sheltered position in the estuary of the River Dee, on the north Solway shore. Its best known as Scotlands Artists Town, one of several themed towns in D&G (along with Wigtown Book Town and Castle Douglas Food Town). It has a long standing reputation as an artists colony; a lasting legacy from the 19th Century when the Glasgow Boys such as E.A. Hornel (whose former home is now a National Trust property), Jessie M. King and her husband, E.A. Taylor, and Charles Oppenheimer stayed there. These artists have enjoyed renewed popularity of late after a recent large show at Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery.

Lots of contemporary artists now live and work in the town and there are also some good local galleries. Further afield, the town offers easy access to gloriously wild coastal landscapes as well as hill walking, mountain biking, fishing, horse-riding and sailing.

Wasps & The Holywood Trust

Wasps Studios supports the careers of visual artists and makers by providing affordable studios at 19 locations across Scotland. We currently support 14 artists working across a range of artistic practices in Cannonwalls and Claverhouse including drawing and painting, sculpture, printmaking, glass, woodwork and textiles. You can find more info at www.waspsstudios.org.uk. The Holywood Trust is a charitable trust that helps young people throughout Dumfries and Galloway fulfill their potential in the cultural, educational and social aspects of their lives. They do this by providing financial grants to individual young people and organisations which support or provide opportunities for young people in the region. You can find out more info at www.holywood-trust.org.uk.

Contact details
For an informal chat about this residency please contact: Alison Fullerton Wasps Studios The Briggait 141 Bridgegate Glasgow, G1 5HZ Tel. 0141 553 5890 Email alisonfullerton@waspsstudios.org.uk Please email all application information to info@waspsstudios.org.uk with Kirkcudbright Residency in the subject header.