Leith School of Art’s Graduate Residency programme offers a unique opportunity to develop a substantial body of new work within an established Art School leading towards professional practice or further postgraduate study.
Successful applicants will benefit from dedicated studio space, available at all times during School opening hours, allowing for flexibility of working practice and the scope to develop a new body of work. Graduates will be encouraged to develop an ambitious proposal challenging previous work or current practice and will be allocated a personal tutor to oversee their development throughout the year. Graduates will receive critical feedback on their work and learn how to situate their practice in the wider context of the contemporary art world.
Course Structure
During the programme graduates will develop a proposal of study within art or design practice, outlining focused critical enquiry and personal contextual research. Studio practice will be supported by gallery visits, exhibition opportunities and professional consultation from visiting practitioners. One day a month is structured around seminars in professional practice. Seminars will discuss personal practice, liaising with galleries and collectors, building a support network, developing an online presence, managing time and money, collaborating with others working in a similar field and developing a greater critical awareness of individual practice. In addition graduates will be offered the opportunity to contribute to lectures, seminars and studio teaching with the guidance and support of our experienced staff team. Graduates will be encouraged to develop an online research portfolio including an archive of recent works and relevant written texts. This portfolio will be available for peers and tutors and may be adapted at the end of the course to become an online portfolio.
Application
The programme is open to applications from current final year students or recent graduates (within two years) from BA or MA courses in Art and Design.
In exceptional circumstances we will consider applicants who do not meet this criteria; please contact the School to discuss further.
The deadline for applications for 2025/26 is Friday 6 June 2025. Applicants will then be asked to submit supporting material by Friday 13 June 2025. The initial selection process will be based on the information provided. All applications will be notified by the end of June 2025.
