School of Art

The Studio Programme is the core of Open Institute School of Art. It brings together 19 artists and practitioners, each with dedicated workspace, within a shared environment focused on making, discussion and the development of artistic practice.

Rather than following a fixed curriculum, the programme is structured around studio practice. Throughout the year, visiting artists contribute talks, critiques, workshops and conversations, alongside exhibitions, open studios and peer-led activity.

The School of Art is not a degree course and does not award a qualification. It is intended as a serious, affordable environment in which to make work and develop a practice.

Your place on the Studio Programme includes:

• Dedicated workspace at Open Institute in Wrexham

• Access to your workspace throughout the programme

• A visiting artist programme, with a different practitioner invited each month

• Group critiques and discussions

• Practical workshops and artist-led sessions

• Talks and informal conversations with visiting practitioners

• Opportunities to exhibit through Open Institute

• Open studios and shared events

• Access to communal working and project spaces

• A community of artists working alongside one another

The programme will continue to develop in response to the interests and practices of the people taking part.

The Studio Programme is open to artists and people seriously developing an artistic practice.

You do not need a degree, previous art-school education or formal qualifications to apply. We welcome applications from recent graduates, self-taught artists, established practitioners, people returning to their practice and those whose route into art has been less conventional.

We are interested in people who want to make work, develop their practice and contribute to the wider life of the School.

Applications are welcomed across painting, sculpture, drawing, print, photography, moving image, sound, installation, performance and interdisciplinary practices.

Places are limited to 19 practitioners.

Applications are intentionally straightforward.

We will ask you to provide:

• Your name and contact details

• 6–10 examples of recent work, or a link to your website/portfolio

• A short description of your current practice

• A short statement explaining what you would like to develop during your time at Open Institute

We are not looking for highly polished applications or academic writing.

Applications will be considered on the basis of your practice, your interest in developing it and your willingness to participate in the wider community of the School.

Selected applicants may be invited for an informal conversation before a place is offered.

The Studio Programme costs £80 per month.

This includes your dedicated workspace and participation in the wider School of Art programme, including visiting artists, critiques, workshops, talks, exhibitions and shared activity.

There are no tuition fees and no additional annual programme fee.

We have deliberately kept the cost low because we believe that access to studio space, artistic development and a serious community of practitioners should not depend on somebody being able to afford conventional art-school fees.

19 places are available for 2026–27.