Introduction

Space for 10 was conceived in response to an absence of creative development opportunities available to artists who were more experienced and who had achieved a level of success in their careers. Whilst it might seem unusual to provide such opportunities for artists who are perceived to be ‘doing well’, The Art House recognised that the pressures and commitments that come with being more established and working full-time as an artist can often mean that time to develop, progress and change a practice are very limited.

Space for 10 provided ten UK-based artists with time, space and support away from their other commitments, enabling them to focus solely on the development of their work. It offered a residency with a UK arts venue, a bespoke mentoring programme and relevant professional development activity. In addition, Space for 10 provided a new peer group and the opportunity for the artists to make connections with people they would not normally have met through their usual networks.

The Art House worked with Arnolfini & Spike Island, Chinese Arts Centre, London Print Studio, Kettle’s Yard, The New Art Gallery Walsall, Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art and Yorkshire Sculpture Park to provide 8-week residencies. Along with working to select interesting and appropriate artists for the programme, the venues provided space, facilities, time, technical and curatorial support. Their involvement and commitment has been essential to the success of Space for 10.

The mentoring aspect of the programme provided a level of critical and practical support that would be difficult for artists to access in any other context. The mentoring was an effective way of brokering relationships for artists, enabling them to discuss their work with artists who’d had an influence to their practice, interesting curators, writers whose work they liked, people with expertise or skills and many other professionals working in a range of fields.

This publication aims to showcase the work produced during the residencies and to give an insight into how the programme has worked for each artist. The immediate outcomes of the residencies have been as wide ranging and diverse as the artists involved and have led to new bodies of work, re-directed practices and the realisation of new and ambitious projects. The longer-term impact of the programme will be seen for years to come.

I would like to thank the Space for 10 artists for their commitment to the programme, for being such a pleasure to work with and for making Space for 10 a worthwhile and valuable project.

Thank you to The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, The Hepworth Wakefield and Arts Council England without whose generous support Space for 10 would not have been possible.