Since 2017, Broken Grey Wires (BGW) has curated contemporary art exhibitions in UK galleries featuring acclaimed award winning artists such as Pipilotti Rist, Bobby Baker and Bill Viola. We also champion incredible emerging artists, such as Marcelina Amelia, Zayd Menk and Sophie New.
BGW is rooted in personal experience. In 2015, after a long-term mental health crisis, our director wanted to develop an organisation embedded in lived experience, that confronts inequitable systems preventing disabled artists from accessing opportunities in the arts. We believe that art is a vital tool for understanding mental illness. We create spaces for connection, expression, and inclusion.
Marginalised artists in the UK will be at the centre of this residency programme. We will prioritise working with artists who face barriers to engaging in the arts due to disability, race, class, gender, sexuality, mental health illness, neurodiversity, or care responsibilities.
The UK Disability Arts Alliance’s 2021 survey of disabled arts practitioners highlights significant structural barriers and precarious working conditions for disabled artists, underlining ongoing challenges with inclusion in the mainstream arts sector. A 2021 international study found that 87% of arts venues and festivals (including galleries) did not include disabled people at all in their programmes or processes, highlighting severe underrepresentation of disabled artists.
We are addressing these biases through the development of a versatile residency programme that will offer a supportive, inclusive, and creatively ambitious environment. With this approach, we aim to spark broader conversations about art as a driving force for social change.
This project aims to strengthen connections between local artists and organisations, while working to develop opportunities for local and visiting artists.
What is an artist residency?
Artist residencies are temporary opportunities that allow artists to focus on developing new work or exploring new ideas. They provide dedicated time and space to experiment creatively within a supportive environment.
A residency is more than just access to a studio. It is a structured period where artists can concentrate on a specific project, research, or direction in their practice without the usual everyday distractions.
The outcome of a residency is not necessarily a finished piece of art. Instead, the emphasis is on the creative process itself. Artists are encouraged to experiment, be curious, take risks, and learn new skills as they develop their ideas.
Residency Period: June to September (Specific dates will be confirmed shortly, but the residency period will be for 3 months)
Application opens - 27/03/2026
Application deadline - 01/05/2026
Eligibility: The residency is for three marginalised artists who face systemic barriers to engaging with the arts.
This residency includes:
- An artist fee of £2,000 per artist.
- Free access to a collaborative studio space situated at Back Room, Safe Regeneration, Bootle.
- Free access to The Comfort Zone. A cosy, inspiring space to relax, unwind and re-set. With a small library of radical, experimental books and zines, our Mad Manual Toolkit, our chalk board wall to offer thoughts of the week, comfortable seating, warmth, and space to read or write.
- Opportunities and guidance to devise and deliver workshops, talks or performances with encouraging audiences.
- Opportunities to engage with visiting artists, activists and other creatives via open studios, 1-2-1 sessions and relaxed local field trips.
- Access to mentoring and facilitated connections with other artists and organisations.
- Support and guidance towards applying for arts funding.
Accessibility Information
The space is wheelchair accessible. There is a communal break room with a kettle, fridge and microwave that is available for artists. Accessible toilets are present on site. Free WiFi is available.
Please use the following link to submit your proposal ⟵
⭐️ Note that (very friendly!) dogs will often be on site, including in the studio space.
collage image created by Lizz Brady and Roxy Ball (03/26)