We are delighted to announce our Residency Programme for 2023-24. This year’s residencies reflect the college’s mission to support artists, makers and conservators at key stages in their career by providing access to workshops, facilities, specialist knowledge, as well as award-winning gardens and the wider estate.

The residencies provide a platform for residents to think, make, and inspire and continue a longstanding commitment to bringing new voices to the College and West Dean community. In partnership with New Writing South, West Dean offers at least half of the writers’ residency to authors of colour, and the college is committed to a programme that is diverse, equitable, and supports a range of ideas and practices that celebrate the role of craft and sustainability in creative practice.
 

Residents this year include:

Resident Artists: Sam Ayre, Cecilia Charlton, Florence Dwyer, Elora Kadir, and Alicia Paz

Resident Writers: Damian Barr, Okechukwu Nzelu, Preti Taneja and Laureen Vonnegut

Conservation Resident: Lauren Fair

Summer School Resident: Alice Kettle

The West Dean Residency Programme provides professional artists, writers, makers, and researchers the opportunity to work onsite for a period of one to three weeks. Co-ordinated by the School of Arts, the residencies are designed to support contemporary practitioners to develop their work, experiment with new materials, and access expert advice. The residencies continue the legacy of college Founder, Edward James, by supporting early-mid career artists, celebrating making and sharing knowledge, and preserving craft. All resident artists engage with the students by providing tutorial support, leading workshops, and giving presentations on their work.