Other Projects

Eligibility: Please see each individual project.

Information

Acme Studios works with individuals and organisations to increase the number and variety of opportunities for artists. Some of these partnerships result in off-off projects, whereas others become part of our established Residency, Awards & Community Programme.

Acme/WASPS Residency

Acme has a long relationship with the major artists' studios provider in Scotland, WASPS. As well as sharing expertise and experience, the two organisations have been looking at ways they can work in partnership to directly benefit artists. In addition to providing affordable studios, both organisations manage work/live spaces. Given the distances between Scotland and London, it was decided that offering a residency in a work/live unit would be most beneficial to artists. Run as an exchange programme, artists in WASPS studios would have the opportunity to visit London and artists in Acme studios would have the opportunity to visit Scotland.

WASPS Newburgh Residency
WASPS’ Steeple development in Newburgh, Fife provides studio accommodation for artists based locally and residential accommodation for visiting artists. Acme tenants were offered a one month residency in August 2010 and Maggie Lill was selected. Maggie works predominately with photography and hopes to use the residency ‘to explore and consolidate my desire to create new themes within my work whilst networking with other artists at the Steeple and to be able to engage in the WASPS programme meeting artists, crafts people and communities who live in and around Newburgh.’ During the residency, Acme will cover the rent on Maggie’s London studio and provide £250 towards travel expenses.

Acme Fire Station Residency
Acme offered WASPS tenants the opportunity to spend two months rent-free at a work/live unit at the Fire Station in January/February 2010. Moray Hillary was selected as the recipient artist of the Acme/WASPS residency and, along with collaborator Agnes Negregard, spent two months at Acme’s Fire Station work/live programme in East London which ended February 2010. In conclusion, Moray wrote the following comments of his residency:

'During an intense seven weeks spent in the work/live studio of the Fire station, I managed to produce an important body of work that significantly developed and redefined my current art practice; as well as progressing my collaborative project with performance artist Agnes Nedregard.

We found the experience of working within the confines of the Fire station both conducive and beneficial to our independent art practices’ as well as that of our shared ones.

Due to the special environment, we were fortunate to meet with a number of interesting artists, and were able to engage in numerous dialogues that proved extremely interesting and invigorating. We also got to know the art scene in London quite a bit better, and with the help of Acme, were introduced to some key people and venues. We have left London with contacts and ideas for new projects that have created a platform for future visits to the city.

This kind of valuable opportunity is highly recommended to any artist looking to have a base and working environment in London. It provides an excellent situation to produce work, and is in within easy access of the vibrant London art scene as a whole.'

Inspire MA Programme

Acme Studios approached the Royal College of Art Curating Course to explore a collaborative approach of the use of the Acme Project Space which would both benefit the expanding number of artists on Acme awards or residencies, as well as support the aims of this innovative course by providing a platform for these young curators to develop ideas. The students, who are placed at galleries and museums across England, are also supported by a highly experienced and dedicated team of academics and practitioners, including Head of Department Professor Mark Nash and Senior Tutors Clare Carolin and Karen Alexander. The resulting exhibition 'Contort Yourself' at the Acme Project Space 4-27 June 2010 represents the first curatorial project of this important MA course. See 'News' for more information.

John Jones Artist in Residence

Acme helped John Jones establish their first artist in residence in February 2009, when Tower Hamlets Studio Residency holder, Jan Hendrickse, became the first recipient of the award. Jan worked alongside staff at John Jones to capture the sounds of the factory and to create new instruments from the available materials. The residency culminated in a performance by Jan and John Jones staff at the Spring Art Party in March 2009.

Sarah Greengrass Memorial Award

Sarah Greengrass died from cancer in August 2004, aged 51. Sarah joined Acme Studios in 1976 as our housing assistant, whilst at the same time continuing to practice as an artist. She left in 2002 when her condition was diagnosed. In 2005, to commemorate her and the support she gave other artists, a grant of £2,000 was made to Kate Broad, one of the artists taking up a five-year work/live residency at the Fire Station. Sarah made an immense contribution to Acme and the award provided support for an artist in economic need at a key stage in her career.