Open Call: SPACE Ilford Artist’s Award 2022

For the third year, SPACE is offering one Redbridge-based visual artist a 12-month rent-free studio in our studio community at Redbridge Town Hall in the heart of Ilford (from July 2022 – June 2023). The aim of the bursary is to provide time and focus for an artist at a critical juncture in their practice. 

Applications are welcome from:

• Artists who are based in or are originally from the Redbridge area, and who are unable to currently afford a studio. 
• We will consider application from collectives as well as individual artists.  

How to apply 

Please send the following to artistdevelopment@spacestudios.org.uk

• Tell us how you are connected to Redbridge. 
• A short statement. We would love to know how your time in the studio will develop your practice. 
• Images of your work – either a link to a website / social media or a pdf of up to 6 images. 

Deadline: Sunday 19 June, 2022, midnight 

Selection Panel 

Karen Davies is Head of Artist Development at SPACE and leads on artist support. For the past 5 years she has developed London Creative Network, a professional development programme for artists and creative practitioners in London.  

Sikelela Owen was a SPACE Studio Awardee from 2021–2022. She has exhibited nationally and internationally including solo exhibition at James Freeman Gallery (2020): HSBC space London (2018) and LdM University Gallery, Florence (2020).  In 2019 Owen was Abbey Fellow at the British School at Rome and took up a 3-month Residency in Rome and a one-month residency at Elephant Lab in 2019. She has also worked closely with the mental health and art charity Hospital Rooms undertaking a commission in 2020 and a series of limited-edition prints 2021. 

As an artist parent, Sikelela says, “Having the SPACE Award allowed me to have financial security, sometimes to get assistance with the things I needed and also just to know there was a space, and I had no extra pressure of “do I have to work extra days?”. During my time here it was a nursery, a storage and a continuously evolving messy studio whilst in the corner there was a play pen. It’s been really supportive.”

All applications are assessed on equal terms, regardless of the sex, age, ethnicity and/or socio-economic background. We welcome applications from artists of all backgrounds, and particularly encourage applications from those identifying as BAME, disabled and LGBTQ+.