Acme/WASPS Exchange

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. During the residency, Acme covered the rent on Maggie’s London studio and provided £250 towards travel expenses. Maggie had a very productive time in Newburgh:

'Throughout the residency I was able to make full use of the provision with quality time for focused work and have made several pieces and prototypes for a new body of work.

I would like to thank Acme Studios and WASPS for this opportunity, the local community who were very welcoming and the artists who made my stay a very rewarding one. I have been inspired and have valued the opportunity to explore new themes within my work whilst networking with other artists. One of the outcomes of the residency is that I have set up a sketch book exchange with one of the local artists. This will keep the residency alive for me in the months to come with plans to visit Newburgh again.'

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 Nedregard, spent two months at Acme’s Fire Station work/live programme in East London which ended February 2010.

Moray and Agnes exhibited at the Acme Project Space in May 2011. Their show 'Entrances' features installations and live performance. For more information see 'Further Reading'.

Following his residency, Moray wrote:

'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 within easy access of the vibrant London art scene as a whole.'