Free | For Somerset based artists
Ignite Somerset - Artist in Residency
Each year Somerset Film offers a Somerset based artist an exciting opportunity to work as Artist in Residence at The Engine Room in Bridgwater from mid June to mid Sept 2025. This is an opportunity for artists working in any medium including: visual arts, performance, dance, music, sound art and the written word. We’re interested to see how the artist merges digital ideas with their existing practice.
This year we are interested in hearing from an artist who would like to take part in Somerset Art Works ‘Open Studios’ but is unable to do so. This may be for physical reasons e.g. their studio is physically inaccessible for the public, social factors such as caring responsibilities or for financial reasons.
The selected artist will be supported by our Creative Technologist and access to equipment to explore Virtual Reality, LiDar scanning, moving image, sound and more to help create a digital interpretation of their studio and work for presentation at The Engine Room in September.
Who we’re looking for
A Somerset based artist (an artist living in the county of Somerset), aged 18+, who wants to develop their practice.
An artist with a demonstrable practice and examples of work.
An artist working in any medium who would like to explore the creative potential of digital technology
An artist who would like to produce a new digital artwork for exhibition in September (September 13th to September 28th 2025.) to coincide with Somerset Arts Work Open Studios. (We also hope to repeat showing the work in February 2026 in another venue).
An artist with Public Liability Insurance.
We particularly welcome applications from emerging (undergraduates and recent graduates), disabled and ethnically diverse artists.
Expectations
The artist will produce tangible digital interpretation of their studio through the exploitation of creative digital technology.
Over the course of the residency the artist will keep a log that documents their creative journey. This diary could be in the form of, for example: a blog, a video documentary, a photo diary or audio diary.
The artist will present their project at a Creative Network on Saturday September 13th. (The Creative Network is an informal event for artists to get together and share ideas and inspiration).
The artist is expected to present digital interpretation of their studio developed at the residency at The Engine Room for Somerset Art Works Festival Weeks - September 13th to September 28th 2025.
Benefits to the artist
Somerset Film will pay the Artist in Residence a fee of £1,000 plus an additional £200 for materials.
The artist will be able to access, through negotiation with the team at Somerset Film, facilities at The Engine Room during the course of the residency. Our facilities include: Mac computers and a range of media production software, DSLRs, professional microphones, film and photography lighting, audio equipment and studio space, iPad, Polycam Lidar Scanning Software.
Over the course of the residency the artist will benefit from up to twelve days support from the Ignite Somerset Creative Technologist. This support can cover, for example: ideas development, technical production assistance, video/sound editing, curatorial support.
How to apply
Please prepare an outline proposal that describes your current practice and how you intend to use this opportunity (no more than 500 words), accompanied by a CV and three images that demonstrate your work, including links to any examples of your work online.
Send your proposal to daniel@somersetfilm.com by midday May 1st.
If you’re invited to an interview you will be required to show evidence of your work in the form of, for example: a portfolio, photographs or video.
If you require more information please contact info@somersetfilm.com or calling 01278 433187.