Artists Studios

Up to eight or nine resident artists can be accommodated in this artist-run studios and project space facility in Preston, set up in 2011.

The large studio spaces provide exciting opportunities for artists, as a base from which to work and develop their contemporary art practice. There are four studios on the first floor, suitable for painters or those needing natural light, with another three workshop spaces in the basement which are more suitable for ‘makers’, along with one studio on the ground floor behind the project space, currently used for photography. During open days or with prior arrangement,  visitors are able to view the work of the resident artists alongside current exhibitions or events. Visits can also be arranged to meet with artists to discuss commissions, exhibitions or purchasing work. Resident artists have access to our Meeting Room where they may also meet with clients and run workshops or other events or hold a small exhibition, as well as to the project space which can be used for various activities. In return, residents are expected to help with organising, hosting and promoting, events and activities.

The sizes of the studio spaces vary as does access to natural light and suitability for certain activities but each artist builds their own studio according to their needs, at their own cost, renting their space from our landlord. Everyone pays the same amount for each studio space regardless of size, location or facilities. Every resident becomes a member of the collective, must accept our Constitution and must agree to abide by the House Rules.

Oxheys Mill Studios operates as a co-operative so all artists also pay an agreed amount each month to cover utilities. Any other incidental costs are shared equally. The policy operated regarding studio spaces is that when a space becomes available, resident artists have first choice on moving before it is offered first to associate members, then to those on the waiting list and then advertised publicly.

Applications for studio space are encouraged from both established and emerging artists in any discipline but we are particularly interested in receiving applications those whose approach and working practice fits in with the overall vision and/or from those who are keen to take an active role in the collective or in organising, curating and/or managing events or running open studios.

Those not needing a studio space may be interested in our Associate membership which offers many benefits without the need for renting a studio.

Opening times
The Project Space is normally open to the public Fridays and Saturdays 12pm-3pm when exhibitions are on and also during events but is closed to the public during January and February. All other times strictly by appointment please as resident artists all come and go as they need and as their time allows. Visits to any of the studios should always be arranged with the artist concerned first.

Vacant studios
October 2016: Sorry, we currently have no vacancies

Waiting List
If you are interested in being notified of any spaces which may become vacant in the future, please join the waiting list – to do so just sign up for our Mailing List and select ‘studios’. You will be contacted if a vacancy arises, invited to come and see the space and meet the artists. If you then wish to apply, you will need to complete an application and accept our House Rules:

oxheys studio application 2015

Oxheys House Rules 2015

UPDATE: As the building was sold in 2017, sadly we no longer have the facility to provide studio spaces or exhibitions. As an artists’ collective we are however continuing to run activities and events on a peripatetic basis, so please join the mailing list or follow us on Twitter @oxheys to find out what we are up to.