AA2A Artist Residencies at Universities and Colleges in England

Overview

AA2A (Artists Access to Art Colleges) is a national scheme connecting practising visual artists and makers with higher and further education institutions across England. The scheme provides access to specialist academic workshops, digital fabrication labs, technical expertise, and studio spaces, allowing artists to test new methods and expand their practice while enriching academic environments by embedding working creative professionals into student cohorts.

Program Benefits

• Minimum of 100 hours of free access to specialist workshops, studios, and technical machinery during the 2026/27 academic year
• Access to technical staff advice, interaction with academic communities, and student engagement opportunities
• Eligible selected artists may apply for financial grants via the Artist Support Fund
• Discounted professional AXIS membership
• Features on AA2A's publishing/promotional platforms

Disciplines & Media

The residency supports a broad range of Visual Arts, Craft, Media, and Design disciplines based on individual host facilities, including Printmaking, Ceramics, Wood/Metal Fabrication, 3D Printing, Laser Cutting, Textiles, Digital & Analogue Photography, VR, Sound, and Fine Art (Painting/Sculpture).

Eligibility

• Open to UK-based artists living within reasonable commuting distance of chosen host institution
• Must be a practising artist with at least one year of professional practice post-formal education
• Cannot be currently enrolled in full-time formal education

Application Requirements

• Select and apply to up to two host institutions per cycle
• Submit clear statement of objectives, proposed processes, required equipment, and campus availability
• Provide brief outline of how your presence will benefit student cohorts on campus
• AI tools may be used for planning or grammar checks, but applications must be written in your authentic voice

Key Dates & Deadlines

• Loughborough University: Monday, 31 August 2026
• Gloucestershire College: Tuesday, 1 September 2026
• Middlesex University (London): Tuesday, 1 September 2026
• New City College (London): Tuesday, 1 September 2026
• Anglia Ruskin University (Cambridge School of Art): Friday, 4 September 2026
• Leeds Beckett University: Friday, 4 September 2026
• University of Chester: Friday, 4 September 2026
• University of Roehampton (London): Friday, 4 September 2026
• University of Portsmouth: Monday, 7 September 2026
• De Montfort University: Saturday, 12 September 2026
• Birmingham City University: Monday, 14 September 2026
• Blackpool School of Arts: Monday, 14 September 2026
• York St John University: Monday, 14 September 2026
• Newcastle University: Wednesday, 16 September 2026
• Nottingham Trent University: Wednesday, 16 September 2026
• University of Central Lancashire: Wednesday, 16 September 2026
• University of Sunderland: Wednesday, 16 September 2026
• Buckinghamshire New University: Confirmation Pending
• Liverpool John Moores University: Application Pack Coming Mid-August 2026

Fees

The application process is 100% free of charge.

How to Apply

To request specific application packs and access the submission link, complete the registration form on the official AA2A platform. Visit the AA2A Official Portal for more information.