Radical Sabbatical 2027: an artist residency exploring touch

What can the sense of touch reveal about how we experience the world, relate to others and understand our surroundings? Radical Sabbatical 2027 invites UK-based artists to explore these questions through a six-month research and development residency organised by Eastside Projects in collaboration with the University of Birmingham.

Promoted through Film London, this opportunity is designed for artists who want to develop their practice, experiment with new ideas and engage in interdisciplinary research. Rather than focusing on the production of a commercial film or a finished artwork, the residency creates space for exploration, dialogue and creative risk-taking.

The 2027 programme will select two UK-based artists to investigate the theme of touch alongside university researchers and academics. The residency offers an opportunity to connect artistic practice with academic perspectives, explore unfamiliar approaches and develop new lines of enquiry in a supportive research environment.

Each selected artist will receive a £3,500 fee and a £500 production budget to support their participation and creative development.

Artists interested in interdisciplinary collaboration and research-led practice are encouraged to explore the programme and consider how their work might engage with the theme of touch.

The application deadline is Friday, 20 November 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Applicants should consult the official open call for full eligibility criteria, residency arrangements and submission requirements before applying.

Could this be an opportunity to take your practice in a new direction? Explore the Radical Sabbatical 2027 call and discover how a period of research, exchange and experimentation could inform your next creative project.