Residency & Exhibition Opportunity for Artists with a Learning Disability and/or Artists Who Identify As Neurodiverse

This call out is available in Easy Read Format and Video Format.

🕔 Deadline to Apply: 5:00pm, 30 June 2025

📅 Interviews: Thursday, 31 July 2025 (in-person or online)

📅 Exhibition Dates: 27 March – 7 June 2026

📍 Exhibition Venue: Aspex Portsmouth, The Vulcan Building, Portsmouth PO1 3BF

About the Opportunity

As part of Portsmouth’s first Learning Disability-led Arts Festival, This New Ground is partnering with Aspex Portsmouth to offer an exciting opportunity for two artists. We are looking for two visual artists to take part in an artist residency, culminating in a group exhibition at Aspex Portsmouth. The festival aims to champion the creativity, leadership, and talent of artists with learning disabilities and neurodivergent artists. It is grounded in the belief that learning-disabled and neurodivergent voices should be at the forefront of cultural life, not only as participants but as leaders, curators, and creators of high-quality contemporary art. This residency is an opportunity to be part of a groundbreaking moment in the city’s cultural landscape—celebrating inclusivity, collaboration, and artistic excellence.

Artist information

We will seek to commission artists who are from Portsmouth. This could mean:

You were born in Portsmouth
You live in Portsmouth now
You have studied in Portsmouth
You work in Portsmouth

We will also consider applications from artists based in the surrounding counties listed below.

Hampshire
West Sussex
East Sussex
Surrey
Isle of Wight
Dorset
Kent

Commissioned Artwork

Artwork created during this residency will be responsive to oral histories of local people living in Portsmouth with a learning disability. Themes explored in these stories could include independent living, institutionalised living, and the journey toward gaining independence. There will also be opportunity to respond to historical narratives based around Portsmouth's institutions and long stay hospitals.

What You’ll Receive

Each artist will be supported with:

A commission fee of £1000
A materials budget of up to £500
A dedicated studio space at Aspex, Portsmouth available from 5 Sept – 22 Oct 2025 (Using this space is optional - you can also work from home or your own studio.)

Residency Studio Space -Information pack

Curatorial support from Aspex Portsmouth
Regular check-ins and mentoring from This New Ground
A place in the main gallery group exhibition at Aspex in 2026
Up to £100 for travel to the exhibition and festival

Exhibition & Festival Timeline

Exhibition Preview: 26 March 2026
Exhibition Dates: 27 March – 7 June 2026
Festival Dates: 8–10 May 2026
Installation Period: 11 – 25 March 2026
Exhibition Venue: Aspex Gallery, The Vulcan Building, Portsmouth PO1 3BF

Key Application Dates

Call Out Opens: 23 May 2025
Deadline to Apply: 5:00pm, 30 June 2025
Interviews (in-person or online): Thursday 31 July 2025
Selected Artists Announced: 7 August 2025

Accessibility & Support

We are committed to making this process inclusive. We will work with you to meet your access needs. This can include:

Easy Read application info
Flexible ways to apply (audio, video, or written)
Regular communication and mentoring

How to Apply

You can apply in the format that suits you best: written, video, or audio.
You’ll be asked to tell us:

About your art practice (150 words)
Why this opportunity is a good fit for you and what you'd like to do during the residency (300 words)
Any access needs you'd like us to be aware of

Your answers will only be seen by the selection panel. All personal data will be handled according to GDPR guidelines.

Applications will be reviewed by a selection panel made up of a diverse group of individuals, including selectors with lived experience of learning disabilities and/or who are neurodiverse.

The panel will include leadership representatives from Aspex and This New Ground, as well as a member of TNG’s Inclusive Arts Committee who has a learning disability. We are committed to ensuring that decision-making is inclusive, representative, and reflective of the communities we work with.