We partnered with Yorkshire Artspace to provide a Testing Ground residency, exclusively for artists in the Sheffield City Region who identify as working class.

Testing Ground is a new residency programme at Exchange Place Studios, intended to provide an intensive period of creative experimentation for an artist based in Sheffield. It aims to provide ideal conditions for making, including studio space and a materials budget. Studio open days and a pop-up exhibition provide opportunities for creatives to share works-in-progress, while 121s and group crits will provide more focussed feedback. The residency provided 24/7 access to a 70m2 public-facing studio space, £1,000 artist fee and £500 materials grant.

We also worked with Yorkshire ArtSpace on a networking event tailored for Working Class Creatives in Sheffield and Members of the Working Class Creatives' Database (WCCD) community and attendees connected with fellow Working class creatives, sharing experiences and forging new connections. 

Central to the event was a panel discussion between Thomas Lee Griffiths and Will Hughes guided by WCCD directors Seren Metcalfe and Chanelle Windas, offering firsthand insights into their journey as working class creatives. We discussed the intersections of class, queer identity and being an emerging artist in the North. Following the guest artist talk, there was a Q&A where attendees can engage in open dialogue, ask questions, and share their own experiences. This interactive segment aimed to facilitate meaningful discussions, encourage collaboration, and inspire innovative ideas among participants.