Applying for Studio Space at Phoenix

We are keen for artists working in all disciplines to have the opportunity to become studio holders at Phoenix Brighton. We currently operate a ‘pool’ system, where-by artists are selected to become part of the pool group. Artists in the pool are invited to take on vacant studio space when it becomes available.

Phoenix Brighton is a Charity and is able to offer studio space at a reduced rent to artists who are unable to rent studios from landlords at a commercial rate. We operate a selection process to ensure that our artists meet our criteria and that the spaces are actively used.

Application Procedure:

A call for applications is made 2 months prior to the selection meeting. A notice will be posted on this website's home page, and the following email newsletters: www.fabrica.org.uk/artist-resource, www.artsjobs.org.uk, www.nfasp.org.uk. We recommend signing up with one or all to ensure you don’t miss our call out; they are also useful sources of information and opportunities for artists. Artists are selected by a panel made up of current Phoenix artists, staff, trustees and invited selectors. Artists selected at this stage will be held on the pool list until a suitable space becomes available (this will be made up of no more than five artists).

Successful artists will be offered studio space at Phoenix for an initial period of one year (extendable on completion of a review meeting). Studio members will be expected to fulfil the criteria below on an ongoing basis

We offer spaces to artists that successfully meet the selection criteria and who also match our requirements when a space becomes available. Phoenix is keen to keep a balance of working practice, gender, age and ethnicity within the building, and this will be kept in mind when selecting artists and allocating studios.

Criteria for selection:
Artists will be selected for studio space if they can demonstrate the following:

• Commitment to their professional practice
• Engagement with current contemporary practice
• Ambition to progress and develop their practice within a critical framework.
• Willingness to participate in public events, including the annual open studio event, and occasional studio visits.
• Willingness to promote the organisations activities and to acknowledge their part in the organisation where appropriate.
• Commitment to contributing to the professional development of artists at Phoenix by taking part in discussion, mentoring and critical debate
• Willingness to engage with the organisation’s education and artistic programmes
• Willingness to be part of an artists community & contribute to the day to day running of the studios
• Commitment to spending the majority of their working time actively using the studio space (minimum average of 3 days a week).
• Show how their practice will benefit from the provision of affordable studio space at Phoenix.
• Ability to meet required commitments, including rota jobs.
• Ability to pay collective charges fully and on time.

Application process:

Artists wishing to apply for studio space at Phoenix Brighton should wait for an application call to be advertised before submitting the following information:

• Completed application form including details of the type of space preferred, and any special requirements or facilities needed.
• Provide a short statement (no longer than 300 words) detailing how you feel you can fulfil the above criteria. Please refer to previous/future experience such as working in an educational environment, mentoring, workshops, residencies, curating, or working on artist led projects or with other art organisations; self initiated exhibitions and events, or other collaborative ventures you feel relate to Phoenix’s aims. Include details of ways in which you would be interested in getting involved.
• An up to date CV.
• Up to 7 digital images that represent your current practice (jpeg format), DVD show reel - of not longer than 5 minutes, copies of publications or reviews. Or you can provide a link to your web site if you prefer.
• A reference from someone you have worked with professionally (within the context of your current arts practice).

The application information is very important because it is the main opportunity we will have to get a sense of your artistic practice and to determine how a studio at Phoenix could benefit the development of your practice.

We will inform you about 3 – 4 weeks after application if you have been successful. You can apply again for studio space if you are unsuccessful the first time.