Gasworks has announced the 2026 Residency for Artists Based in West Africa. The fully funded residency will support artistic exchange, professional development, and experimentation while deepening cultural dialogue between West Africa and the United Kingdom.
The program invites applications from visual artists living in West African countries including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Helena, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. Eligible applicants must already have experience exhibiting their work in multiple venues. The residency will run for eleven weeks, from 7 April to 23 June 2026, at Gasworks in London.
Gasworks will provide selected artists with a private studio that offers 24-hour access and a single bedroom in the Residency House, a shared two-story home with communal facilities. The residency also covers return economy flights, airport transfers, and all visa-related costs with full application support.
Artists will receive a weekly stipend of £175 to cover living expenses in London and a materials budget of up to £800 to support new work. In addition, Gasworks will supply a prepaid travel card for zones 1 and 2, administrative assistance, and curatorial support during office hours. Artists will also have access to audiovisual equipment, studio visits with international curators and peers, and a dedicated residency page featuring a short video interview. The program will conclude with an Open Studio presentation where participants share their work and research with the public.
Gasworks continues to demonstrate its commitment to global exchange and artistic experimentation. Since 1994, it has supported more than 600 artists from over 80 countries through residencies, exhibitions, and studio programs. Alumni include Ibrahim Mahama, Sin Wai Kin, Tania Bruguera, and Sonia Boyce, whose careers highlight the impact of the initiative. By fostering an environment centered on process-driven, artist-led practice, Gasworks has become a key member of the Triangle Network, which connects artists and organizations across Africa, Asia, and South America. This residency, supported by Mercedes Vilardell, reinforces that mission by opening doors for West African artists to engage with London’s vibrant art scene while building international networks.
With the deadline approaching on 29 September 2025, this initiative promises to shape new voices in contemporary art and strengthen ties between West Africa and the United Kingdom.
Apply here
