UK | Decolonising Arts Institute Practice Research Residencies

University of the Arts London Decolonising Arts Institute is looking for mid-career artist researchers working in any media to undertake virtual practice research residencies as part of the Transforming Collections project.

Up to eight selected artists will undertake a 15-month research residency from January 2023 to March 2024. They will research, develop and produce a new commissioned work in agreement with the Transforming Collections curatorial working group, for digital or physical display as part of the Transforming Collections public programme.

The aim with these residencies is to embed critical creative activations of machine learning within the Transforming Collections project, and to catalyse the emerging research and learning through experimental, immersive and discursive encounters with art. 

Fee and budget

Artist researchers will receive a fee of 10,000 GBP. 

A research, development and production budget of up to 14,000 GBP is available to cover costs such as materials and travel related to the practice research residencies, to be agreed with the Transforming Collections Principal Investigator and Project and Partnerships Manager. 

Who can apply? 

The call is open to mid-career or established yet institutionally under-represented artists, such as artists who identify as black, brown or people of colour. 

Artist researchers working in any media can apply, including digital, audiovisual, live art, performance and installation art.

Applicants should demonstrate a track record of relevant professional practice, an understanding of practice-based research, and the right to work in the UK.

Experience of working digitally or with machine learning and AI tools is desirable but not essential. Experience of working collaboratively and/or with collections and archives may also be beneficial.

Application guidelines 

Deadline: 30 October 2022

Transforming Collections: Reimagining Art, Nation and Heritage is a 3-year project led by Dr susan pui san lok, UAL Professor of Contemporary Art and Director of the Decolonising Arts Institute, in collaboration with UAL Creative Computing Institute, working closely in partnership with Tate. The project harnesses the potential of new technology to dissolve barriers between collections.

Image: Larry Achiampong ‘Relic 2’.