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a landscape image of a group of people standing in a warmly lit studio space filled with prints and shelves of books. Some of the people look at prints hanging on the walls and displayed on wooden tables, others are having lively conversations. The image is taken through a doorway, which frames the scene.

Grand Union Open Studios, May 2023. Image by Nina Bailie.

a landscape image of a group of people standing in a warmly lit studio space filled with prints and shelves of books. Some of the people look at prints hanging on the walls and displayed on wooden tables, others are having lively conversations. The image is taken through a doorway, which frames the scene.

June Digbeth First Friday Open Studios Event, Grand Union, Birmingham. Image by Nina Baillie, 2023.

Opportunity: BCU Graduate Studio Programme Open Call

21 July – 17 August 2025

Birmingham City University is working with Grand Union and Contemporary Other, to offer four recent graduates free co-working space for 12 months.

The graduates will be based within Grand Union’s artist studios, which includes Contemporary Other’s co-working studio and Modern Clay, a ceramics facility offering open access to artist and community groups in the region.

The aim of the free studio programme is to embed BCU graduates into Digbeth’s artistic community and provide support and mentoring at the early stages of your career.

There are two different offers available:

  1. A distinct, lockable studio space for 2 graduates to share. This is one of Grand Union’s artist studios and will suit artists who need space to experiment in making. Located at Grand Union, Minerva Works.
  2. Access to Contemporary Other’s co-working space for two graduates, which includes desk space, a kitchenette, library and small flexible rehearsal/photography/social space, most likely to suit artists interested in live and performing arts. Also located at Grand Union, Minerva Works.
You can find the full applicant information guide here (Powerpoint) →You can find the full applicant information guide here (PDF) →

 

Application details:

To be eligible to apply, you must have graduated from BCU’s School of Art and Design in the last five years (earliest graduating in 2020). This can be from any course within the school.

To apply please send:

–   An overview of you and your practice

–   How you would benefit from shared work space with Grand Union and Contemporary Other.

–   How you envisage using the work space.

–   Who you are interested in connecting with during your residency (this could be individuals, programmes or organisations).

–   Up to 5 images of recent work or web links.

You application should be in PDF format (no more than 2 pages of text) or/and a video format (no more than 5 mins).

Please send your applications to: submissions@grand-union.org.uk
stating BCU Graduate Studio Programme in the subject header.

Deadline for applications is 17 August 2025.

Further information

Contemporary Other is a grassroots, disabled and artist led organisation who have a welcoming co-working space within Grand Union’s studios. They specialise in live-art, theatre and performance, however their network includes local/national organisations, festivals, platforms, artists and creative practitioners, across artforms. Their work encompasses commissions, artist development, consultancy, residentials and retreats.

Grand Union is a well established arts organisation in Digbeth’s cultural community. Alongside its artist studios, it hosts an artistic programme that weaves through its various spaces like the gallery, garden, kitchen, studios, and places beyond.

Please note that both spaces are up one flight of stairs with no lift access. You can find a full access guide to our space here.

Please get in touch via info@grand-union.org.uk  if you wish to discuss access further.