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Creative Residencies with real ideas.
Creative Residency Programme 2026
What is the Creative Residency Programme?
The Real Ideas Creative Residency Programme supports established and emerging artists to expand their practice, gain new technical skills, and forge meaningful connections. Rooted in the emerging Devonport Creative Quarter, our nine-month residency brings together practitioners working across printmaking and traditional practices, creative digital technologies, and the intersections between them.
This residency is part of Real Ideas' commitment to supporting creative practitioners to develop their practice and explore new possibilities at the intersection of creativity and technology.
Who it's for...
We're looking for six practitioners ready to explore the creative possibilities that emerge when analogue creative processes meet developing technology. Whether you're an established artist looking to expand into new territory or an emerging practitioner eager to develop your skills across disciplines, this residency creates space for experimentation, growth, and collaboration.
The residency runs for nine months (April – December 2026), with regular Wednesday access to facilities and approximately one day per month commitment to scheduled group activities. While we value flexibility, we ask residents to actively engage with the programme, their cohort, and our wider community.
What you'll get...
World-class facilities
Access to our printmaking studios at Devonport Guildhall and immersive technology facilities at Market Hall, including our state-of-the-art 15-metre dome, production suite, and specialist equipment.
Tailored support
One-to-one mentoring focused on your practice and professional goals, plus expert technical assistance from our skilled team.
Skills development
Training and masterclasses led by industry professionals and visiting artists, alongside practical workshops on business essentials like finance, intellectual property and marketing.
Collaborative learning
Group crits, peer learning with your residency cohort, and networking opportunities with the wider creative community and industry partners.
Exhibition platform
Showcase the work you develop during the residency at our culminating celebration event.
What we're looking for...
We welcome applicants who are genuinely curious about exploring the intersections between print and digital practices, and who will actively seize the opportunity to develop new skills and expand their creative practice in unexpected directions.
Please note, the programme is open to individuals or pairs only.
The residency is offered completely free of charge. While we provide facilities, equipment, technical support and training at no cost, participants should budget for personal materials and travel.
Real Ideas is committed to making this residency accessible. If financial barriers would prevent you from participating, please get in touch to discuss your circumstances.
If you have anything else you would like to discuss, or any questions you'd like to ask, please do get in touch!
Discover our spaces
The residency programme will be delivered across the Market Hall and Devonport Guildhall, two historic buildings rooted in the emerging Devonport Creative Quarter.
Flexible workspace is available at both buildings, which are only a 3-minute walk apart. Both spaces are wheelchair accessible, with lift access and accessible facilities.
Market Hall
Based in Devonport, home to our 15-metre immersive dome with cutting-edge projection and spatial audio systems, plus a production suite equipped for film editing, game engine workflows and immersive content development. Also available, portable equipment including 360 cameras, VR headsets and professional sound recording kit.
Devonport Guildhall
A historic Guildhall full of artist studios, print facilites and more! Our dedicated print studio supports traditional and contemporary printmaking across intaglio, relief, screen printing and risograph.
Residency Alumni
Discover a few fantastic artists previously supported by Real Ideas and our programmes, discover below just a couple of incrdible artists.
Cathy Mager, Night Bloom (2024)
"We were ecstatic to realise our dream of creating a 360° sign language artwork. We're deeply grateful to Real Ideas for making this possible within Plymouth Market Hall's extraordinary immersive dome... This collaboration inspires us to continue creating immersive artworks led by deaf and disabled artists for many years to come."
Ian Milnes, Junkerry's Together Apart (2022)
"We took 8 artists from three countries to Market Hall to test our spatial sound and 3D visual project in their Dome... we were completely blown away with the space, level of technology used and expertise of their engineers. Most of all we encountered amazing people, a wonderful team with a can-do attitude that wrap you in good vibes. Easily the best Dome experience in Europe."