Applications now open to join our Studio Pool List

We are delighted to welcome applications from artists who would like to join our Pool List for studio space at Phoenix Art Space.

As a charity, one of our core aims is to promote equality and diversity in the arts. We offer studio spaces to support emerging and re-emerging artists, those from groups currently under-represented in the arts due to factors such as ethnicity, gender, neurodiversity, disability or sexual orientation. We also support artists experiencing financial hardship.

The application form first asks eligibility questions to check whether you fall within one of the groups we prioritise. It then asks for information about your artistic practice so that we can ensure a broad and high-quality mix of practices.

To assess eligibility, we ask for some personal information. This includes sensitive data. Collecting this information helps us make sure our support reaches those who will benefit most and allows us to meet our charitable aims. This data is kept securely, and a specific data protection policy supports this.

Our studios are popular and often full. When a space opens, artists on the Pool List are the first to be offered it.

If you have any questions or need help with your application, please contact our Studios Manager, Kate Neave: kateneave@phoenixartspace.com

 

Application Form and Further Details

Download a word document: Download a word document here and send by post or email to studioapplications@phoenixartspace.org

Download a PDF document: Download a pdf here and send by post or email to studioapplications@phoenixartspace.org

Please send by email to studioapplications@phoenixartspace.com or by post.

Please send us your files converted to Word or PDF documents if possible, thank you.

 

FAQs

If I am successful, how long will it be until I get offered a studio?

If your application is successful, you will join our Pool List. Artists often stay with us for many years, which means only a few studios become free each year. You may be on the list for some time before a space becomes available.

How will I know if I am eligible for a studio? 

To help us fulfil our charitable purpose, all studio holders are required to meet one of the criteria outlined in our Charitable Objects. These criteria are designed to support:

• Artists who are emerging or re-emerging (Route one)
• Artists who are under-represented in the arts (Route two)
• Artists who are experiencing financial hardship (Route three)

New applicants only need to meet one of these three Routes. However, we warmly encourage everyone to complete the full form if they feel they may qualify under more than one Route. This helps us build a clearer picture of our artistic community and allows us to collect anonymised data that supports funding applications and
demonstrates our charitable impact.

How do you define an emerging or re-emerging artist (route 1)?

An emerging or re-emerging artist is someone who has been practising for up to ten years, not counting major breaks such as childcare, illness or caring responsibilities. This also includes artists who began their practice later in life. We use this definition to reflect the real and uneven paths of artistic development.

Will I fit into an under-represented group (route 2)?

We ask applicants to self-identify across areas such as age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation and disability or neurodivergence. This information helps us understand whether applicants identify as belonging to groups that are under-represented in the arts and may face structural barriers to access. If you believe you may be part of an under-represented group, please apply or get in touch for guidance.

Well-documented underrepresented groups in the arts include women artists, artists from diverse ethnic backgrounds, artists with diverse gender identities or sexual orientations, artists who are disabled or neurodivergent. If you believe you are part of another underrepresented group, you are welcome to include this information or to contact us for guidance. You may provide further context in the text box if you wish.

How do you assess financial hardship (route 3)?

We ask existing studio members and new applicants to reflect on their ability to meet essential living costs, access resources needed for their practice, and earn income from their artistic work. You may also wish to tell us if your socio-economic background has limited your access to opportunities. As a general guide, applicants with low or irregular income, or whose financial circumstances make it difficult to sustain their practice, may wish to apply under this Route.

Who is on the panel?

Eligibility is assessed first. If you meet the criteria, your practice information will be reviewed by a panel that includes Lucy Day (Executive and Artistic Director), Kate Neave (Studios Manager), one Phoenix studio artist and one external artist, curator or critic.

How will you protect the information that I give you?

We are committed to handling all personal data lawfully, fairly, transparently, and securely in order to uphold the privacy rights of artists, applicants, staff, and partners. Our full Data Protection Policy and Procedures is available on request.

This policy complies with Article 5 of the UK GDPR. We rely primarily on the following lawful basis under Article 6 of the UK GDPR: Legitimate interests – to assess and allocate studios, manage members, and fulfil our charitable objectives. When we process sensitive data such as ethnicity, disability, or financial hardship information, we rely on Article 9(2)(g) – Substantial public interest, in accordance with Schedule 1, Part 2, Paragraph 16 of the Data Protection Act 2018 (“support of individuals with particular characteristics”).

Please contact our Studios Manager if you have any further queries regarding how we store and protect your data.

Deadline: Friday 10th April at 5pm