Applications are Open for Pop-Up Studio 2025

Pop-Up Studio is an incubator for creative development and growth

It’s a 5-week residency for 6 artists that culminates in a group exhibition, and has a kaupapa of participation. The residency promotes connection and community for artists and allows them to share the creative process and their work with our visitors. Having artists at work in our space brings it alive with creativity and activity.

This year’s Pop-Up Studio will be from 2 October to 23 November.

Find out all you need to know on this page.

POP-UP STUDIO 2025
Terms & Conditions

Applications are open for Pop Up Studio 2025
Applications Close Sunday 21 September at midnight
Successful Applicants will be notified on Monday 22 September

For Pop-Up Studio, Oxford Gallery transforms into a working artists’ studio for four artists, for five weeks. The residency culminates in three-week-long exhibition of work made during the residency.

Artists have access to shared studio space Monday to Sunday (more information about access will be supplied to successful applicants), peer support, and professional development sessions. It will culminate in a three-week public exhibition that showcases the outcomes of each artist’s creative exploration. The focus on this year’s Pop-Up Studio is Professional Practice.

Oxford Gallery staff manage the programme, providing curatorial support, coordinating professional development sessions, and promoting the artists and their work throughout the residency.

Why?
A shared workspace is an incubator for collegiality and collaboration. Having artists at work our space brings it alive with creativity and activity. We know this from the brilliantly successful Open House Studio in 2020 where several artist-printmakers shared the space. Pop-Up Studio is an extension of the Open House kaupapa, widened to include artists from a range of disciplines. It promotes connection and community for artists and allows them to share the creative process and their work with our visitors. This is our third Pop-Up Studio. The first was in 2023.

Key Dates
Entire Project: Thursday 2 October – Sunday 23 November
Optional set up day: Wednesday 1 October (9am-12pm)
Studio period: 2 October – 2 November
Exhibition period: 3 November – 23 November
Exhibition Opening: Saturday 8 November, 2-4pm
Exhibition Take Down: Monday 24 November

What we offer you:

Connection and community with other artists in a friendly, activated space and an opportunity to work collaboratively if you wish.
A space that is yours to work in, display and share your working practices with the Pop-Up Studio cohort and gallery visitors. You will have your own studio booth and table. You can pin work to the walls within your booth.
You can sell your work in the closing exhibition if you wish (a 35% commission to Oxford Gallery is payable)
An opening event on Saturday 8 November for visitors, family and friends.
$150 towards your costs.
Professional development in the form of mentoring and workshop sessions with experienced artists and arts facilitators (full line up to be confirmed)
Weekly studio support from artist and gallery co-ordinator Katie Hallam
Co-curation of a group exhibition with your residency cohorts.

You will have access to your studio from Monday – Sunday, 11am-4pm. Gallery visitor hours are Thursday – Sunday, 11am – 4pm. Earlier access will be possible on some days. This will be discussed with the successful applicants

There is no cost to artists for Pop-Up Studio, but you must commit to the following:

Being present in the space for at least one weekend day during the residency period. There will be a roster to ensure that there are 1-2 artists in the space every weekend.
Supply the gallery with feedback by electronic form at the end of the residency.
Work with all participants in the residency to co-curate and install an exhibition of your works.

Who can apply?

Practicing creatives with a broad range of career experience, from emerging to established, in the Waimakariri District.
You do not have to be a full-time artist but you must demonstrate that you are actively working on your practice.
We are particularly interested in artists who wish to grow their existing practice. You will be open to growing in at least one of the following areas: technical skills, conceptual thinking, career opportunities.
We will consider all creative practitioners (visual arts, contemporary crafts, writers, animators, architects, etc.).
Artists who applied for Pop-Up in previous years are welcome to apply again.

How to apply

The closing date for applications is Sunday 21 September. Successfully applicants will be notified on Monday 22 September and supplied with full joining instructions on acceptance.

If you require further information, please email us via the Contact Us page.

Tap the button below to apply.

APPLY HERE!

Feedback from previous Pop-Up Studio artists

“I’ve learned that experimentation and the freedom to make things without the pressure for the outcome being “good art”, alongside the conversations about ideas and constructive critique, really enhance my practice.”

“I valued being able to spend time working in a shared space with other creatives and the encouragement to experiment and play creatively, focusing on process rather than end product.”

“I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of this experience and really grateful for the support. The experience was so inspiring and re-energising.”