Image: Renee So, Artist in Residence photo by Chris Ison.

ARTS THREAD speaks to Sarah Hughes Art Subject Tutor and Curatorial Assistant at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation, about the benefits of taking part in artists residencies and how to apply. Sarah is full of invaluable advice for emerging artists – read on to find out!

West Dean College of Arts and Conservation runs a variety of taught programmes from short courses to MFA degrees. The college is renowned for its emphasis on making and the outstanding facilities that are available to students, including a large ceramics studio and stone carving workshop.

Their residency programme provides artists, writers, composers, and makers with the opportunity to work on-site for a period of one- to three-weeks. Co-ordinated by the School of Arts, the residencies are designed to support contemporary practitioners in developing their work, to experiment with new materials and techniques, and embed themselves within the atmosphere of the college. In 2019, we introduced a residency that links the Gardens at West Dean with the academic life of the college and this year we are working with Outside In, a charity that supports artists whose access to the arts is often restricted.

The Outside In residency is selected by Open Call and has been organised as part of a research project that interrogates the colonial aspects of West Dean’s history. The project discusses ethical curation, challenges embedded curatorial practices, and proposes new approaches to the display and interpretation of collections.

ARTS THREAD: What are the benefits of an artist participating in a residency?

Sarah Hughes: West Dean is a ‘makers paradise’ and residents often comment on the amount of work they get done in a short space of time. Residents also benefit from the rural location, often taking a break from their hectic schedules to finish projects or focus on research. Others are keen to critically engage with the surroundings, be it the College’s Collection of art and historic objects, the Gardens, or the Estate. Studio residencies offer artists the opportunity to experiment without the pressure of having to present finished work, whereas the partnership residencies provide opportunities for developing new work for exhibition or publication.

On the more practical side, the programme provides residents with full board accommodation and a dedicated studio space, such that they can immerse themselves in the making process. All residents also receive a fee. They have access to the College Library, Collection and Archive, workshop facilities, technician support, as well as advice from numerous subject specialist staff. Residents are asked to give a talk and conduct tutorials with students up to post-graduate level which provides valuable teaching experience.



Image above: Pat Thomas performing at Salon Imaginaire curated by resident composer Mary Hampton.

ARTS THREAD: What should be included in a residency application?

Sarah Hughes: In addition to the standard information (images, statement, CV, website, and a short proposal), we’re really keen on practitioners whose interests align with themes related to the history of the College. For example, Florence Peake’s 2016 residency restaged a performance of Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, which tied in with College founder, Edward James, being a patron of avant-garde ballet in the 1930s and a good friend of the composer. Both Ross Taylor’s and Tahmina Negmat’s paintings link with James’s patronage of the Surrealists. Katie Schwab’s interest in textiles, furniture, and education linked well with the educational remit of the College.

ARTS THREAD: What qualities do you look for in an applicant?

Sarah Hughes: Creative and intellectual curiosity; whether it’s how to shape a piece of wood in a particular way, or questioning why certain objects are in the collection, an enquiring mind is well served at West Dean. We’re really keen to invite new perspectives and to be challenged by provocative ideas.

Of course, Open Calls often come with specific criteria. The Outside In project, for example, is specifically aimed at artists who meet the aims of the charity in terms of facing significant barriers to the art world due to health, disability, social circumstances or isolation.

We also run a biannual residency and exhibition opportunity with the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea, where artists use their time at West Dean to create new work for a solo show. For this opportunity, we are looking for artists at a stage in their careers where they are ready to present their first major show at an iconic venue on the south coast.



Image above: Florence Peake WD residency 2016 Photo by Barney Hindle.

ARTS THREAD: What advice do you have for making the most of a residency if you're accepted?

Sarah Hughes: Be willing to take risks and to make mistakes. Also, to make the most of the time at the college – it goes really quickly!

ARTS THREAD: Information on upcoming residency applications and/or opportunities.

Sarah Hughes: The programme for next year is full as we have had to postpone some residencies due to the Covid-19 lockdown. We have also introduced our first ‘remote residency’ with Alec Stevens working on a new series of work with a strong digital emphasis. We will be running an Open Call for 2021, so if anyone is interested, I’d urge them to look out for notices on social media and the College website.

We’re really excited about next year’s programme. It includes some amazing artists, with interests ranging from decolonisation, the depiction of women in historic collections, dining, and performance. The recipient of the Outside In residency will be announced this summer, and we’re looking forward to extending conversations around colonial heritage as part of the residency linked to West Dean Gardens. Creative Writing residencies will be announced during the summer too, and we’re thrilled to be inviting some exceptional authors to spend time with us at West Dean.

ARTS THREAD: Thank you Sarah and the rest of West Dean College of Arts and Conservation – we wish you & your amazing artists all the success!

You can find out more about their Outside In Residency and how to apply here deadline is 3rd of August.

Learn more about West Dean College.
www.westdean.org.uk
@westdeancollege
@westdeanfineart

Interview by our Digital Editor Jacqui Rudd.