Open to Draw Scheme

One of the objectives of Drawing Projects UK is to enable the exploration of the role of drawing within a range of creative practices and contexts.  Our Open to Draw scheme provides the opportunity for artists, makers and curators to make proposals for residencies, projects and/or exhibitions that explore the role and value of drawing within their practice or field of enquiry.

Open to Draw Scheme proposals may include short-term residencies in one of our studios, or experimental projects in the Drawing Centre Project Space. 

Guest accommodation in the original Caretaker's Quarters at Bridge House may be available for those joining us from further afield and provides a spacious retreat above Drawing Projects UK, with a large double bedroom, sitting room, shower-room, and kitchen-dining room. 

Artists-in-Residence have included: Eleanor Bartlett, Sophie Cape, Anna Gillespie, Mairead McClean, Carole Pearson, Sandra Porter, Wendy Sharpe, Jilly Edwards. A range of Open to Draw Artist's Projects have included: a group of artists from Yorkshire (see image above) Andy Black, Kate Black, Tracy Himsworth, Lucy O'Donnell, Sally Taylor; Saranjit Birdi; Chloe Briggs and Alys Scott Hawkins of Drawing is Free; Greig Burgoyne & Lucy O'Donnell; and Simon Woolham. 

Open to Draw proposals are reviewed by the Drawing Projects UK team and their advisers. Please download and complete the proposal form as we will only be able to respond to proposals that address each category of the form (if you are unable to use the proposal form for any reason, please submit your proposal as a Word document and ensure that you address each section or question). We usually aim to acknowledge receipt of your complete proposal form within six weeks of receipt and to review all proposals received on a quarterly basis.

Please note that the scheme for Open to Draw projects and residencies is closed to new proposals until 2024. 

Download the Proposal form