Baltic x Shape Emergent Residency 2025

Emergent - our hybrid residency programme and £5k bursary delivered in partnership with Baltic, Centre for Contemporary Arts - is back for 2025. Following a successful third year, we're back and now is your chance to apply! Baltic and Shape Arts invite disabled artists and creative practitioners in the first five years of their career to take part in a three-month residency programme. Emergent combines digital and physical elements of delivery, supported by both organisations. The residency programme is structured as follows: * Mid-October to mid-November – remote residency * Mid-November to mid-December – in-person residency at Baltic * January – remote residency Eligibility Location: United Kingdom Other: * You must self-identify as disabled (download the information pack to find out more about the Social Model of Disability and what we mean by 'disabled') and have experienced barriers to progression in your career * You are within the first five years of your career* * You are not in full-time education * Your arts practice is socially-engaged * You are UK-based and usually live in the UK * You are over 18 * You are available October 2025 to mid-January 2026 inclusive, to take part in the residency * You were not shortlisted or selected in 2022, 2023, or 2024's programmes *We recognise that the term 'emerging artist' can mean different things for different people. You may have recently graduated, but you might also be changing career, or returning to an artistic practice after taking some time away. Whatever stage you are at, so long as you feel confident that you are within the first five years of your artistic career, even if this has been paused and resumed, you are welcome to submit an application. We will prioritise applicants who have not previously received significant funding, awards, or formal opportunities as part of their artistic career. Rewards Accommodation Exhibition Funding Travel Reward description: We offer: * A hybrid residency, consisting of blended remote and on-site support, run in partnership between Baltic and Shape teams * An on-site residency at Baltic in November 2025 * Remote support and mentoring which takes place in the months either side of this (meaning the full period runs October 2025 to January 2026) * Remote support will be by Zoom or similar tools There will be a travel grant of up to £500 made available to selected artists for travel to and from the residency location in Gateshead. Any costs above this figure should be covered by the £5k bursary grant. Support areas will cover artist needs and include: * Curation (the impact of your work according to context) * Technical issues in your practice (for example digital working) * Engagement (connecting with audiences, raising your profile) * Access (your own, and wider considerations for access curation) * Sustainability (your career in the wider arts ecology) * Finance (budget management, fundraising opportunities) The awarded artist receives a £5,000 bursary. This is designed to support their practice in the ways they most need. There will be support and development opportunities for a small group of shortlisted artists. These artists will be notified following the shortlisting process. Does this sound like something for you? Apply now -> Cost Application fee: No Participation fee: No Additional fees: No Required Documents Artist Statement Motivation Letter Application Forms Artwork / Portfolio CV Other: As part of the application we will ask for: * A covering statement telling us about your work and how this residency opportunity will benefit you * A description of the barriers you have faced in starting your artistic career * A recent or updated CV or biography * Examples of your work, this can be attached as files (up to six images of your work or a video/audio extract no longer than two minutes) or an online portfolio/website * You will need to self-identify as disabled * We strongly recommend you read the Emergent FAQs document before applying * You can apply via Submittable which accepts text, audio and visual media. This means you can use the format most accessible to you.