Devised in response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, this new series of residencies is designed to support early career visual artists based in Scotland. The crisis has had a devastating impact upon artists. Many have lost work and access to studio space in addition having planned projects, exhibitions and commissions postponed. Recognising that this is a particularly challenging time for those in the early stages of establishing their careers, these residencies offer essential time, space and financial support to enable the participating artists to reconnect with their practices, focus upon current and new projects without distraction and to share ideas and experiences with peers from a wide range of backgrounds.

The 11 artists taking part in this programme this year are: Thomas Abercromby, Saoirse Anis, Rabiya Choudhry, Caitlin Dick, Francis Dosoo, Kerrianne Flett, Rhona Jack, Amy Jones, Ross Little, Adebusola Ramsay and Natsumi Sakamoto. Each artist’s name links to individual pages on their work and their plans for this residency.

The artists were appointed following a Scotland-wide nomination and application process and we would like to thank all those that made such thoughtful and helpful nominations, including: Jenny Crowe (Arts Manager, Platform, Glasgow), Eoin Dara (Head of Exhibitions, Dundee Contemporary Arts), Margaret McCormick (Community Engagement Programme – Visual Art, Platform, Glasgow), David McCracken (Print Curator, Peacock Visual Arts, Aberdeen), Ashanti Harris (artist and Cove Park Visual Arts resident 2019), Ainslie Roddick (Artistic Director, ATLAS Arts, Isle of Skye) and Andrew Parkinson (Curator, Pier Arts Centre, Orkney).

The Crisis Residency Programme is made possible with generous support from Freelands Foundation.

Image: Natsumi Sakamoto, She Casts a Curse into the Sea, 2019, film still