Royal Society of Sculptors - 2 week Dora House residency for Members
Deadline: 06/04/2026City: London | Country: United Kingdom | Eilidh McCormick
Expenses paid
We’re excited to offer our Members & Fellows a two-week residency at Dora House, London - A chance to stay, connect, and experience the art of the city from a home base. 5 - 19 October 2026
This year we mark 50 years at Dora House thanks to the generous gift of Cecil Thomas OBE FRBS who bequeathed his home and studio to the Society in 1976.
The highlight will be completing our Creating a Home for Sculptors project which transforms the basement at Dora House into a self-contained one bedroom flat and studio for visiting artists.
With work well under way now, we are delighted to open applications for you, our members, to join us in residence later this year.
The 2 week residency is timed it to coincide with Frieze and Frieze Masters, and designed to support professional connection and exchange, providing residents with a strategic base in the city.
Arrival Monday 5 October 2026
Departure Monday 19 October 2026
This is our first two week residency in the flat! We are keen to get your feedback on the experience.
The resident will be selected by a selection panel
The residency is intended for single occupancy of the artist only. Artist duos are welcome to apply – the travel expenses and per diems will not increase in these instances.
Purpose of the residency
This residency is intended as a period of research, exploration, and idea development. We are particularly interested in how the artist uses their time to engage with the city — its people, organisations, histories, and spaces — as a catalyst for new thinking and future work.
Rather than prioritising a fully resolved final product, the focus is on process: building relationships, testing ideas, and responding to the context in meaningful and ambitious ways.
During the residency, we expect the artist to:
- Undertake focused research informed by the city’s cultural, social, or physical landscape
- Proactively connect with local organisations, creatives, and communities
- Share insights, works-in-progress, or research outcomes in an appropriate format (in the Instagram takeover or a Zoom conversation with members following the completion of the residency)
- Document learning, connections, and future directions emerging from the residency
The residency should lay strong foundations for future work, partnerships, and long-term impact beyond the residency period itself.
This is a self-directed residency; all applicants must come with the understanding that they need to work independently.
Support provided:
- Travel Support
- A contribution towards return economy travel to London:
- Up to £150 for return travel within the UK
- Up to £300 for return travel from mainland Europe
- Up to £800 for return travel from the rest of the world
- A contribution towards return economy travel to London:
- A per diem of £30 (£420 in total)
- Administrative and pastoral support from the Awards & Residencies manager is available during office hours from 10am-5pm Monday-Friday but we expect residents to be self-motivated during their time with us
- A weekly zone 1 and 2 Oyster card for London Travel.
- A welcome pack with information about the accommodation, emergency procedures, local area and city
- Welcome amenity including milk, chilled bottled water and biscuits (dietary requirements will be considered)
Accommodation & Facilities:
- Access to the studio space for research and the creation of artwork (no hot working in this space)
- A functional kitchen with cooking utensils
- Kitchen essentials including Tea, coffee, cooking oil, salt and pepper
- Laundry facilities
- Private bathroom
- Double bed with duvet and pillows
- Lounge area
- Wi-Fi
- Cleaning essentials
- Shower essentials including shampoo, conditioner and body wash
- Towels and linen
- Hairdryer
- Iron
Visit sculptors.org.uk/creating-home-sculptors to find out more
Artist requirements:
- Completion of an end-of-residency report - A form will be sent for completion once your stay has ended.
- Instagram takeover during or after your time with us.
Application details:
- Applications are to be made on CuratorSpace.
Eligibility & Access:
- Open exclusively to current members & fellows of the Royal Society of Sculptors living outside the M25 ring
- Residency runs for a fixed two-week period
- One resident at a time
- The flat is accessed via steep, narrow steps; applicants should consider this when applying
- Applications are welcomed from all Royal Society of Sculptors members and fellows provided they have not been awarded or participated in a Society residency in the 12 months prior to the applications opening.
- Please note that for your application to be accepted, your annual membership fee must be paid in full by the submission deadline or an existing quarterly direct debit be in place.
Please note that for your application to be accepted, your annual membership fee must be paid in full by the submission deadline or an existing quarterly direct debit be in place.
- Reimbursement is limited to actual costs incurred, up to the stated maximum
- Artists are expected to book reasonably priced, cost-effective travel
- Unless agreed in writing, travel must be from the artist’s primary place of residence to London and return
- Costs related to visas, insurance, local transport or baggage fees are not covered unless agreed in writing in advance
- Reimbursement will be made upon submission of valid receipts and proof of travel
- Travel must align with the confirmed residency dates, unless prior written approval is granted
- The residency reserves the right to decline reimbursement for non-compliant bookings
Accessibility Support:
- The residency is committed to supporting access needs
- Artists who require additional travel support due to disability, health conditions, or caring responsibilities are encouraged to outline their needs during the application process
- Reasonable additional costs related to access requirements may be covered subject to prior agreement and budget availability
1. Overview
The residency provides private accommodation and studio access to support your artistic work, research, and professional development. Residents are expected to maintain a safe, productive, and respectful environment throughout their stay.
Note: Members of the Society’s team may access the studio and archive, which are on the same floor as your flat, during your residency. They will not enter your private living space without permission or in case of emergency.
________________________________________
2. Expectations and Consequences
Residents are expected to treat the building, and surrounding community with care and respect in compliance with sections 3 to 14 in this document. Unacceptable behaviour (see section 15) or disregard of any points may result in:
- Termination of the residency
- Loss of membership of the Royal Society of Sculptors
- Suspension or loss of the per diem
- A financial fine
- Legal action where necessary
________________________________________
3. Respect for the Building & Neighbours
- Keep noise to a minimum
- Smoking and the use of no e-cigarettes or vapes is strictly prohibited
- Treat furniture, fittings, and appliances with care
- Day visitors are allowed in moderation and must respect the working nature of the building
- Visitors are the responsibility of the Resident and must comply with this Agreement; failure to do so may result in consequences to the Resident (see section 2)
- Only authorised residents may stay; overnight guests are not permitted
- No parties, events, or commercial use of the space
________________________________________
4. Cleanliness & Waste
- Keep the flat and studio tidy at all times
- Use recycling and rubbish bins correctly
- Report any damage to the Society immediately
________________________________________
5. Safety & Security
- Lock doors and windows when leaving
- Do not leave valuables visible from windows
- No open flames of any kind
- Familiarise yourself with fire exits and safety instructions
- Use utilities responsibly
- The Resident is responsible for their own belongings; the Society is not accountable for any loss or damage
________________________________________
6. Use of the Flat and Studio
- No alterations (including but not limited to drilling, painting, mounting)
- No hot working (including but not limited to glue guns, soldering, welding, or other heat-based tools)
- Use utilities and resources as intended. Instructions are provided in the welcome pack; if unsure, contact the team before use
- The Resident may not remove any property belonging to the Society from the residence
- Loss or avoidable damage will incur a fine equivalent to the cost of replacement
________________________________________
7. Check-In / Check-Out
- Arrival and departure times will be communicated prior to the residency. Once agreed, these times must be observed unless written confirmation of a change is provided
- Return keys/fobs at the end of your stay
- A fee of £150 will be incurred if lost or not returned
________________________________________
8. Internet
- Wi-Fi is provided
- Use must be legal and responsible, prohibiting illegal downloads, hacking, or excessive bandwidth consumption (e.g., torrents)
- The Society is not liable for data breaches, service interruptions, or security issues, and may monitor traffic. Connection may be suspended for violations
________________________________________
9. Respect & Community
- Comply with all local laws and building regulations
- Act professionally and courteously at all times
- Report any issues or concerns with staff promptly
________________________________________
10. Use of Residency Gallery Card
- The residency gallery card must be returned at the end of your stay
- A fee of £150 will be incurred if lost or not returned
________________________________________
11. Per Diem
- The per diem will be allocated daily for the duration of the residency
- If the residency is terminated early or not completed, no payments will be made for unattended or incomplete days
________________________________________
12. Materials Budget
- Any materials budget allocated to residents will only be granted upon presentation of
- Receipts must be submitted to the Society for verification before reimbursement
________________________________________
13. Team Support
- The Society team is available to provide guidance and support throughout your residency
- Residents are expected to use the Society’s contact number and visits to the offices responsibly; excessive or inappropriate use may result in withdrawal of support
________________________________________
14. Talks, Events, and Agreed Outcomes
- Any talks, events, or other outcomes agreed upon during your residency must be delivered or produced
- Failure to meet these obligations may result in withdrawal of support and/or a request to leave the residence
________________________________________
15. Unacceptable Behaviour
The following behaviours are strictly prohibited and may result in immediate termination of the residency:
- Harassment, discrimination, or abusive behaviour toward staff, members, or visitors to Dora House
- Physical violence, intimidation, or threats
- Theft, vandalism, or deliberate damage to property
- Excessive noise, parties, or disruption to those working in the building or the local community
- Misuse of the building or equipment
- Unauthorized guests or commercial use of the space
- Any behaviour that violates local laws, fire regulations, or safety requirements
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