Southwark Studio Residency

Eligibility: Artists living or working in the London Borough of Southwark, whose practice involves social engagement.

Next programme (2010-2011): Applications will be accepted in April 2010. Full application details will be available on this website.

Information

The Acme Southwark Studio Residency was established in 2006, following the completion of 50 permanent new-build studios at the Galleria in Peckham. The residency programme aims to extend the value and visibility of our studio project to the wider community. The studios were officially opened by Minister for Culture David Lammy MP in June 2006 and are part of a larger mixed-use development of private and affordable residential apartments developed in partnership with Barratt Homes.

This studio residency programme is an opportunity for artists who are involved in socially engaged practice to develop significant relationships with cultural agencies and communities in the borough. It is also a financial breathing-space, allowing artists to focus on the development of their practice.

The residency is awarded to Southwark-based artists, who receive a rent-free studio (worth £4,750 a year) for 18 months, plus a cash stipend of £10,000.

The programme is supported by three key agencies: Acme, Southwark Council and the South London Gallery. Southwark Council provides £5,000 to the residency, as well as support and advice. South London Gallery provides support from the senior curator and/or director who visits the artist four times throughout the residency period. There is also additional support for marketing and programming support. The partners aim to nurture and extend the relationship between the artist, their work and the wider community, and the artist is expected to achieve publicly visible outcomes at the end of the programme and encourage greater participation in arts practice.

2008 - 2009:
Ana Laura Lopez de la Torre

Ana Laura Lopez de la Torre was the second artist to be awarded the Studio Residency in Southwark based at the Galleria in Peckham. Born in Uruguay, Ana Laura now lives and works in London. Her residency began in January 2008 and ran until July 2009. Ana Laura undertook a research project: 'Night Time in Southwark' consisting of events, walks, interventions and conversations, exploring night time as both a location for making and showing art, and as a conceptual framework for dialogue. Focusing on the way people interact, Ana Laura's work is influenced by different cultures, attitudes and how we live together, using a variety of different mediums.

'Night Time'

The culmination of Ana Laura's residency was 'Night Time' a collection of essays, poems, photos and artwork by Ana Laura and the people of Southwark. An exhibition of original artwork, 'At night I', was held at Camberwell Space in September 2009 to mark the launch of the 'Night Time'. The publication was funded by Arts Council England Grants for the arts and is availabe from Unbound - the Live Art Development Agency's online shop: www.thisisunbound.co.uk

Beating the Bounds Series

Ana Laura took up the offer of a guided tour by individuals who have a particular stake or interest in Southwark’s geography and political boundaries. The 'Neckinger River Walk', a collaboration with artist Amy Sharrocks, was a group walk following the course of the buried Neckinger River from the Surrey Canal in Peckham to its mouth on the Thames. The 'Border Patrol Solstice Ride' was a bike ride with Southwark Cyclists around the 17 mile border of Southwark on the longest night of the year.

Nightcleaners: Part 1

This event was part of Celebrating Women in Southwark, and began with a public screening of Nightcleaners: Part 1, a rarely seen experimental film from 1972 by the Berwick Street Collective (Marc Karlin, Mary Kelly, James Scott and Humphry Trevelyan). 

Night salons

As part of the residency Ana Laura ran a series of Night Salons: informal open studio events with presentations by people living and working in the borough, exploring different experiences of night time and darkness.

Neighbours Series

Ana Laura exchanges an invitation to visit her studio, for an invitation to visit the home of local residents. This exchange looks at the uses we make of domestic space, and how our homes also constitute a sort of “studio” in which we experiment with our creativity and unfold our personal style or aesthetics.

2006 - 2007: Isa Suarez

Southwark's first artist in residence - composer, songwriter, performer and sound artist Isa Suarez - began her residency at the Galleria in Peckham in April 2006. Working with groups including Southwark Pensioners Centre, Southwark Refugee Centre, The Marroons and The Music Project at Charterhouse in Southwark, Isa has collaborated with local groups and individuals, exploring the theme of human rights in everyday life.

She says: "This award has given me the chance to develop my work as a composer, performer and sound artist within the Southwark community and will also help me develop my current commissions planned in London and abroad. This studio is good not only for my Southwark residency work but also for my practice in general. A free studio plus £10,000 means I have peace of mind financially and am able to experiment with new ideas.

I now have an ideal studio space within the lively and vibrant community where I live and work, together with financial help and support from Acme Studios, Southwark Council and the South London Gallery - it is the perfect scenario."