CREATIVE RESIDENCIES
Fair Isle Studio offers space for anyone with a creative practice wishing for self-funded, devoted work or research time.
Fair Isle has a rich history, culture and wildlife and is much celebrated for its knitwear and music. Many artists, writers, designers and musicians have found inspiration on this tiny island and its tight knit community. We are delighted to offer Fair Isle’s first creative residency space in our traditional Shetland croft house, Lower Leogh.
We encourage residents to use the space for their personal creative benefit. Our light, airy studio is the perfect space to develop new work, whilst our comfortable living space is suited for those looking for time to think and relax. For those who are interested in being out in the landscape, Fair Isle is a paradise for walkers. If the community itself is your area of interest, we are happy to support you with plans for community focussed events or research.
We want the residents of Fair Isle Studio to feel completely at home in the space. Due to the unique dynamic of the island, we encourage our residents to immerse themselves fully in the community and allow themselves plenty of time to experience the details of Fair Isle. We therefore ask our residents to commit to a minimum stay of 2 weeks with a preferred stay of 4 weeks. If a longer stay is required please email us to discuss.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, please get in touch to discuss your residency and preferred dates.
We currently have self-funded residency space available in 2025 during November. Our 2026 diary will open in the New Year.
Residency cost: £1000 for 2 weeks or £2000 for 4 weeks.
We are happy to support residents with funding applications by providing an official letter of acceptance.
To apply, send the following information to fairislestudio@gmail.com
Name, preferred pronouns, email and phone number.
Preferred residency dates.
A short statement on your creative practice and how you would spend a residency at Fair Isle Studio.
Up to 5 examples of your work.
Links to your website and/or social media.
STUDIO SPACE
Our modern, bright studio is a versatile space that lends itself to any specialism, including artists, designers, writers, musicians, and researchers.
The studio enjoys full height ceilings, making it a very airy space to work in. South facing, it enjoys direct light through most of the day being particularly bright in the mornings.
The studio is fitted with a large sink, open shelving and plenty of storage to keep your work and any equipment safely stored away. Moveable workbenches allow for a flexible work space, suiting your needs as your residency progresses.
Reliable broadband is available throughout the house, and 4G is accessible across the island.
LIVING SPACE
Alongside versatile workspace, Lower Leogh offers comfortable, cosy living space. The traditional Shetland croft house has been renovated to a very high standard yet has not lost its charm.
Our generous sitting room with armchair, sofa-bed and dining table is ideal for writing and research. If you run out of reading material, our small library of island focussed books will keep you learning.
The house has a fully fitted kitchen, bathroom with shower and bedroom furnished with double bed. Lower Leogh is a traditional Shetland croft house, with typical low ceilings in the ‘lean-to’ end of the house, namely the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. For taller residents some stooping may be required through doorways and in areas of the back house.