Summer Residency 2026

Calling all creatives!

Our Summer Residency program in the OVADA Warehouse is returning in August 2026!

This is your chance to work alongside, share and learn with practitioners from all creative fields, and to shape your own residency here in Oxford, UK

Applications for the 2026 Summer Residency are now closed*

Summer Residency Poster 2026
  • “The space was relaxed and informal which helped to make you feel you could use it in different ways at different times which was useful for me in terms of documenting my large works and thinking through new ideas” - 2024 Summer Resident

  • “The diverse group of artists brought together gave me the opportunity to both learn from the different practices and materials being used and to be inspired by different ways of using the space and working through ideas and how people developed their artwork" - 2023 Summer Resident

  • “The space and time gave me freedom to expand playing with scenographic installation, which is not something readily available, so the scope of work was more expansive” - 2023 Summer Resident

  • “It set in motion lots of future works and trajectories. By having the space, I was able to really imagine and expand on the messy, beginning phase of new thoughts and ideas. It also brought me closer to artists in Oxford and helped me understand the importance of that for support, community and opportunities” - 2024 Summer Resident

How does it work?

The Summer Residency will see our warehouse space transformed into a shared studio space, allowing time for the development of new work and ideas in a stimulating environment

There are no expected outcomes for this residency and there are opportunities to engage with the public through talks and events or to organise an open studio or exhibition with the other residents - it’s all up to you!

Each week an OVADA staff member or trustee will host a development session offering Summer Residents a chance to connect with one another, share their practices and become familiar with the space

Who will I be sharing the space with?

Up to 12 creatives: artists, curators, writers and researchers - anyone - at any stage in their career will be selected to take part at one time

OVADA encourages collaborative practice and welcomes applications from collectives wishing to share residency space where practical

Residency Dates

Full access to the Warehouse space between Friday 31 July - Monday 31 August 2026

Why Apply?

  • No expected outcomes – explore and experiment

  • Chances to engage with the public through talks, open studios or exhibitions

  • 24hr access to our warehouse space

  • Weekly development sessions hosted by OVADA staff

  • Request a reference letter from director Mita Vaghela at the end of your residency!

Application Fee

£15.00

This is non-refundable and goes towards covering the cost of administration and the review process

Deadline

The deadline for applicants is:

12 noon Friday 10 April 2026

Residency Fees

£300 per resident for a four week-long residency

You can purchase an application and view the proposal form via our website shop 

We cannot consider proposals which do not have a verifiable Paypal transaction ID

Applications for the OVADA Summer Residency 2026 are now closed!

Thank you to everyone who has submitted an application!

FAQs