AA2A - Artist Residencies

Calling all artists, makers and designers!

Want free access to university/college workshops + studios this year?

With an AA2A residency, you can:
✨ Develop your creative practice
✨ Access professional facilities + equipment
✨ Be part of a national network

⏰ Applications close from 31st August

AA2A gives artists and makers from a wide range of backgrounds, disciplines, and specialisms the chance to develop their work using high-quality university and college facilities.

Here’s what they say about us! 🌟

(Responses from 92 AA2A residents over the last two years)

📸 Image: Sid White Jones AA2A artist resident at Anglia Ruskin University 24-25

Applications for 2025/26 are now live!
Apply for a placement with one of our 12 host institutions across England.

Open to visual artists, designer-makers, and creatives working across a wide range of practices - from traditional to contemporary and emerging media.

aa2a.org/application-...

AA2A connects artists with colleges/universities in England, offering students real-world creative experience and artists access to equipment and facilities

🎨 2025-26 residency applications open next week - details coming soon

🔗 tinyurl.com/3p6dupbh

🗓️ Most deadlines in Sept. More info to follow

Over half of unionised artists earn under £15,000 - Arts Professional Most artists belonging to the Artists' Union England (AUE) are earning far below the UK median wage, according to a new report published by the union and artist-run organisation Industria. The report,...

Most artists belonging to the Artists’ Union England (AUE) are earning far below the UK median wage, according to a new report published by the union and artist-run organisation Industria.

Benefit reforms risk pushing disabled creatives back to the margins - Arts Professional Without equitable access to life enhancing benefits, disabled people's participation in culture is severely limited, writes the UK's arts access champion Andrew Miller.

Without equitable access to life enhancing benefits, disabled people's participation in culture is severely limited, writes the UK's arts access champion Andrew Miller.

Applications for AA2A artist residencies will be opening soon!
Got questions? We’ve got answers, plus insight from Emily Stubbs, current AA2A artist at York St John University

Live online Q&A
Tuesday 15th July 1:30pm
Tickets booking fast!
Link to Eventbrite in bio

Colour photo of screen prints and print materials in an art studio, drying rack in the background

📢 Applications for AA2A artist residencies will be opening soon!
Got questions? We’ve got answers

🎨 Join our live online Q&A

🗓️ Tuesday 15th July

⏰ 1:30 PM

✨ Tickets are booking fast, don’t delay!
Link to Eventbrite in bio

Thank you for sharing! Thanks to Lily for a great article.

colour photo of people on the floor drawing on large piece of brown paper

Considering an AA2A artist residency?

Join our live online Q&A at 1:30 PM on Tuesday July 15th with AA2A artist at York St John, Emily Stubbs

Free to attend but booking required via Eventbrite, link in bio

📸 Image: Arianna Milesi, artist resident at Nottingham Trent University 24-25

AA2A seeks freelancers to deliver in-person sessions on employment in the creative industries to students across England. We encourage applications from artists from underrepresented backgrounds.

Deadline: 5pm Sun 13 July
Apply now: link in bio

📸 We’re excited to share this great short film by AA2A Student Ambassador Csaba Kolbai from Bucks New Uni, capturing AA2A artist resident Jo Cohn’s creative process.

📸 The video was submitted as part of our annual photo/video competition

📸 More about Csaba here tinyurl.com/bddhcm36

📸 Ceramics studio image: Aliyah Hussain, UCLan resident 23-24

Thinking of applying for an AA2A residency?

Join our live online Q&A with Emily Stubbs, current AA2A artist at York St John University – Tues 15 July, 1:30 PM

Free but booking required via Eventbrite: tinyurl.com/u5em7f4k

Should the government invest more in the arts? AA2A explores the case for increased funding in our latest newsletter.

aa2a.substack.com/p/should-the...

Colour photo of woman wearing white shirt kneeling in red paint

As the academic year wraps up, thanks to Lily Jemmett who has been our Student Ambassador at York St John University

Full profile here: tinyurl.com/bdvzzhn5

Part of AA2A’s Creative Futures: aa2a.org/creative-fut...

colour photo of 7 students in a art studio drawing on one large piece of brown paper which is taped to the floor; some students are using charcoal taped to long sticks to draw with

Highlighting the work of AA2A artist resident Arianna Milesi who earned 3rd place in our AA2A Photo/Video Competition! 📸

Alongside other AA2A artists at Nottingham Trent University, Arianna led a fun and engaging creative workshop for students.

See more of her work: tinyurl.com/3mze8e4c

Very pleased to share Lorna Ellen's short film which won 2nd place in AA2A's photo/video competition 🎉

We enjoyed how her film captures a typical day as an AA2A artist in residence at the University of Staffs

🔗 aa2a.org/artists/lorn...

We’ll share more of this year’s winning videos + images soon

As a Student Ambassador, Lily Jemmett shares how AA2A’s artist residencies offer real, tangible support for students navigating the uncertain path after graduation - through networking, mentorship, and practical insights into creative careers.

Read the full article here - tinyurl.com/bad385k6

Want your arts students to gain real-world creative experience and professional insight?

AA2A places contemporary artists in universities & colleges across the UK, empowering students through direct engagement with practising creatives.

Click here to find out more - aa2a.org/discover/

colour photo of young woman with long dark hair, head and shoulders, wearing white top

colour photo of woman with short, reddish hair, wearing glasses and jumper, head and shoulders only

Shout out to our Student Ambassadors at the University of Sunderland, Alicja Stasiak and Kerry Ann Chappell

Full profiles here: aa2a.org/hosts/univer...

The Student Ambassador programme forms part of AA2A’s Creative Futures initiative aa2a.org/creative-fut...

Thank you, Rachael!

AA2A has been quietly reshaping the UK’s visual arts landscape through a simple but powerful idea - connecting established artists with universities and colleges. Almost three decades on, this exchange continues to leave a lasting mark.

Find out more about our journey - substack.com/home/post/p-...

A person dancing out in the open. At the bottom of the image is a text graphic which says GET FUNDING to develop your practice.

📣 Applications are now open for Round 23 of Developing Your Creative Practice!

🌟 Ready to take your practice to the next stage? Start your application 🔗https://buff.ly/hVVi126

🗓️ Deadline for applications 12pm on 22 May 2025!

#LetsCreate

📸Howaboutdave Photography

🎉 Excited to announce the winner of this year’s AA2A photo/video competition! First prize goes to Sid White-Jones at Anglia Ruskin
We loved his subtle, focused video showing student engagement with his practice.
Guest judge Wes Foster praised its confident, abstract style.
aa2a.org/artists/sid-...

colour photo of man wearing blue top, head and shoulders only, plain grey background

Our second AA2A photo/video competition is a wrap! 🎬📷

Thanks to guest judge Wes Foster for his thoughtful eye and creative input. Wes brings experience of photography, design and storytelling - and he's a valued member of our AA2A Advisory Board
wesfoster.co.uk

Winning entries to be shared soon!

I'm really quite pleased with how it's going so far... LOTS still to do! #paintinginprogress #colour #tone #dolls #artstudio #aa2a #aa2aresidency #universityofchester

Almost 30% of the creative industries' workforce is freelance, who must be supported.

Our latest report sets out a vision for a fairer freelance economy, sharing stats behind the stories of #freelancers and suggesting major policy changes to combat these challenges.

🔗 freelance.wearecreative.uk

colour photo of woman's hand holding image showing pink drawn hearts, green ivy leaves in background

100+ attended our employability seminar series this year tackling:

🔥 Networking (even if you hate it)
💡 Selling your work - minus the cringe
📅 Managing projects
📊 Business skills (even if numbers scare you)

Big thanks to our panellists! 🙌

More on employability 👉 aa2a.org/creative-fut...