At a Glance
- Tasks: Create and share your art while mentoring students and engaging with the community.
- Company: Durham Sixth Form Centre & Dead Dog Gallery, a vibrant arts hub.
- Benefits: Access to top-notch facilities and a supportive, inclusive environment.
- Other info: Flexible residencies lasting 3-6 months with excellent networking opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the arts while developing your own creative practice.
- Qualifications: Open to artists at all stages; passion for teaching and collaboration is key.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Durham Sixth Form Centre & Dead Dog Gallery are excited to invite applications for two Artist-in-Residence (AiR) positions within our dynamic and thriving art department. These flexible, bespoke residencies (lasting 3‑6 months) are open to artists from a wide range of disciplines and at various stages of their careers. Our AiR programme supports creative practitioners in developing their own work while engaging with students and the broader community.
Benefits of the Residency
- Access to fully equipped facilities including a kiln, darkroom, printing presses, sewing machines, Adobe Creative Cloud suite, and more.
- The opportunity to engage with students aged 16‑19 through workshops, tutorials, mentoring, and artist talks.
- A collaborative and inclusive environment where the arts are valued as a tool for social mobility, professional aspiration, and cultural contribution.
About Durham Sixth Form Centre
Durham Sixth Form Centre is an Ofsted Outstanding provider and Artsmark Platinum school offering a wide range of Arts and Humanities subjects at A Level and Level 3, alongside a Level 4 Foundation in Art & Design. In 2023 we launched The Dead Dog Gallery, a contemporary art space in the heart of Durham City, which hosts exhibitions, residencies, and community classes.
Residency Aims
- To support artists in developing new work and progressing professionally.
- To provide a safe, accessible, and well‑resourced space to make and share work.
- To give students direct access to practising artists, promoting the arts as a viable career path.
- To support a public exhibition or alternative outcome to showcase the residency.
- To contribute to the development of The Dead Dog Gallery as a leading contemporary visual arts space in the region.
- To strengthen partnerships and lead excellence in arts education and outreach.
Artist Engagement
- Co‑design a bespoke project.
- Provide tutorials with A Level and Foundation students.
- Deliver artist talks, workshops, and technical demonstrations.
- Offer portfolio advice and student mentoring.
- Engage with the community through public sessions.
Residency Timeline
- Call out released: 12 June 2026
- Application deadline: Tuesday 30 June 2026 (midnight)
- Interviews: Week of 6 July 2026 (online)
- Inductions & DB checks: Week of 13 July 2026
- Start dates: Artist 1 – September 2026; Artist 2 – November 2026
Residency structure, length and outcome will be finalised during the initial contract meeting.
How to Apply
Please see attached documents and visit our website for further information. Applications are closed once the positions are filled.
Artist-in-Residence: Call for Applications (2026/27) employer: Durham Sixth Form Centre
Durham Sixth Form Centre and Dead Dog Gallery offer a vibrant and supportive environment for artists to thrive, providing access to state-of-the-art facilities and the opportunity to engage with enthusiastic students and the local community. Our commitment to fostering creativity and professional growth ensures that artists can develop their practice while contributing to a culturally rich educational setting. Join us in shaping the future of the arts in Durham, where your work can inspire and empower the next generation.
