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East Bank SEEDED Residency
East Bank SEEDED is a part-time, paid residency programme for east London artists and creative practitioners to explore and grow ideas relating to their socially-engaged practice.
Each ‘Artist in Residence’ will partner with their chosen East Bank host organisation, with places available for 2027 at Sadler's Wells East, UCL East, V&A East and London College of Fashion, UAL.
Starting in January 2027, a total of four applicants will be appointed, one at each host institution, and will be immersed into a team made up of expert practitioners, academics and facilitators.
The residency aims to offer an accessible and supportive space which fosters mutual learning, collaboration and exchange of ideas within an experimental and inspiring environment.
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Each SEEDED residency offers up to six months (on a part-time paid basis) to explore and develop a creative concept, leading to a showcase or sharing in summer 2027.
Applicants must live or work in one of the four Olympic boroughs of Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets or Waltham Forest, have a socially engaged creative practice and should be in the early – mid stages of their career.
Applications must close on Monday 16 November at 12pm. Click the links below to read more about each residency and fill out your application or keep reading for the full guidance and criteria.
Read the full application guidance here
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the East Bank SEEDED residency?
East Bank SEEDED is a part-time, funded residency programme for an artist / creative practitioners to work in partnership with each East Bank host institution, to explore and grow ideas relating to their socially engaged practice.
Each East Bank partner is looking to support an idea or concept with scope for development relating to their institutional themes. During the residency each artist will develop their idea, leading to production of a tangible output for sharing at the end of the programme.
Further information about the host institutions and their themes can be found in their respective pages or the guidance document.
Who can apply to the East Bank SEEDED residency programme?
East Bank SEEDED is open to creative practitioners and artists from almost any discipline and we want to hear from individuals who bring creative thinking, a desire to explore themes connecting their practice and community, a willingness to be inquisitive and who bring an open-minded approach to this opportunity.
This is an opportunity for early to mid-career practitioners. For Sadler's Wells East you will need to demonstrate between five and seven years experience. For London College of Fashion, UAL, UCL East and V&A East you should have up to five year' experience.
Applicants must live or work in one of the four Olympic boroughs: Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate experience of working with community or in a socially engaged way through their creative practice.
What is the application process?
Stage 1
Written online application form:
DEADLINE: Monday 16 November midday
Stage 2
Five applicants per institution will be selected to go through to stage 2, which kicks off with an online information session
INFO SESSION: Monday 30 November, 13.00 – 15.00
Stage 3
Successful applicants will then have individual interviews and / or presentations.
INTERVIEWS: Monday 14 – Wednesday 16 December
Applicants will be notified by Friday 18 December 2026 about the outcome.
Successful applicants will start their residencies from Friday 15 January 2027.
What can I expect if I’m successful in getting a place on the East Bank SEEDED residency?
All East Bank SEEDED Artists in Residence will receive:
- Fair pay, on a part-time basis at a minimum equivalent of £200 per day.
- Individual / group coaching sessions and workshops.
- Pastoral support.
- Shared workspace, space to host workshops or meetings, studio space for rehearsals (depending where you are hosted).
- Introductions to relevant practitioners, researchers and academics.
- Access to East Bank community activities, event invitations.
- A flexible approach to your time and your other commitments (caring, work, parenting, community) - providing hosts can accommodate within their working schedules.
When is the East Bank SEEDED Residency?
Key dates for the residency programme are as follows:
19 October - 16 November: Online applications open
16 November - 18 December: Selection process
15 January 2027 - 22 January: Onboarding and welcome event
25 January: Official residency start date
30 June: All residencies will be completed
East Bank brings together renowned institutions that are at the forefront of artistic excellence, learning, research, creativity, curatorship and public engagement.
East Bank represents the largest cultural investment ever made by the Mayor of London.