Opportunity: Studio Space

Fixed Term (12 months), off site (Bruntwood Cornwall Buildings, Newhall Street, B3 3QR), free.

The Grand Union x Bruntwood SciTech Studio Programme provides a free, shared studio space for two West Midlands based artists for 12 months (November 2026 – December 2027), at Bruntwood’s Grade II listed Cornwall Buildings in Birmingham City Centre, nearby Birmingham School of Art.

This fixed term programme includes a commission opportunity, and one-to-one mentoring from the Grand Union team, to support your professional development. This 12-month studio programme is aimed at artists committed to developing their artistic practice, who can work responsibly in a communal setting, within the context of a partner organisation.

• This is not a paid opportunity. We are providing a free studio for 12 months, plus ongoing advisory support, with a fee to produce a small commission.

• This is not an exhibition opportunity. This may arise on an adhoc basis, but should not be expected.

• This is a free studio opportunity for two West Midlands based artists, who will be sharing the space. On this basis, the programme may be better suited to smaller scale work.

If you have any questions, please contact with Beth Exley (Programme and Operations Co-Ordinator, Grand Union) at beth@grand-union.org.uk.

During the 12-month programme, you will receive:

• 24-hour access to a shared studio space (471cm x 472cm/239.29 sq ft) from November 2026 to December 2027 at Bruntwood SciTech’s Cornwall Buildings.

• Introduction to the Grand Union and Bruntwood SciTech communities, including Bruntwood’s clientele.

• A £2,000 production budget to create a commissioned work for Bruntwood SciTech’s collection, for Bruntwood’s Birmingham portfolio.

• Ongoing support and one-to-one mentoring from the Grand Union team across the 12-month programme.

• An open invitation to take part in wider Grand Union events, including Digbeth First Friday and ‘Open Studios’.

Dates: Moving in from Monday, 30 November 2026. Moving out by Friday, 3 December 2027.

Rolling, on site (Grand Union, Minerva Works, B5 5RS), £186 per month.

A 19 sq ft studio is available at Grand Union, Minerva Works. This is a rolling contract, and the space costs £186 per month. The studio is lockable and self-contained, with 24/7 access and free parking available.

You will have the opportunity to connect with our wider Grand Union community including neighbouring studio artists, Digbeth friends and the Grand Union team, through various activities and events, such as Digbeth First Friday, Open Studios, and the annual Harvest Celebration.

Grand Union welcomes applications from creative practitioners (e.g. artists, performers) of all disciplines. This studio is also available on a shared basis, suitable for up to three people.

We are seeking a Studio Artist who will actively use the space, and is committed to participating in ‘Open Studio’ events at Grand Union. This studio is one of eight in Unit 15, and connects with Grand Union’s five other artists’ studios in Unit 17, which adjoins ceramics co-operative Modern Clay.

Grand Union hosts an internationally recognised public programme and gallery which presents regular exhibitions, events and activities, including talks, workshops, and performances. Our collaborative programme invites an ever-evolving community of people to Minerva Works, our Bothy and Minerva Apothecary Garden, by Grand Union canal.

We hold regular ‘Open Studio’ events, giving visitors the opportunity to connect with Studio Artists and see current work-in-progress.

• £186 per month, inclusive of electric and WiFi access. This is a rolling contract that can be cancelled at any time.

• 19 sq ft lockable, self-contained studio.

• 24/7 access with free parking available.

• Located in industrial complex Minerva Works, Digbeth. More information can be found here: https://www.grand-union.org.uk/visit.

• The studio is located up one flight of stairs (20 steps). Note: the studio is not wheelchair accessible and we currently do not have a working lift.

We understand that expressing an interest is an investment of your time. We are open to applications in any format, to make this as easy as possible for you. However, please note that we kindly ask for you to be as clear and concise as possible, to aid our understanding of you, and your interest in a studio.

Please send your application as a downloadable PDF or video link, to info@grand-union.org.uk with the subject line ‘Studio Application’, including the following:

• Which studio(s) you are applying for. If you are applying for both opportunities, please make this clear in your application.

• An overview of you and your practice, and a short statement explaining why you want to be considered for this opportunity with Grand Union and/or Bruntwood SciTech, including the benefits a studio would give your practice (approx. 500 words, or a video up to 3 minutes in length).

• Up to 5 JPEG images of recent work (max. 1,200 pixels at the longest dimension), or relevant weblinks.

• A current CV or website (e.g. online portfolio, Instagram).

If you have any questions about the application process and studio programme, or if you would like to discuss access requirements before applying, please feel free to contact Hannah Wallis (Co-Programme Director, Grand Union) at hannah@grand-union.org.uk.

Alternatively, you can call us on 0121 643 9079 (Monday to Friday, 10am–5pm).