Tir Canol and Coed Cadw, the Woodland Trust in Wales, are offering an artist residency, themed around trees and/or woodlands. This is an opportunity to develop and/or deliver work which aims to (re)connect communities to the landscapes in our area of Mid Wales. We are seeking emerging and established artists who have a connection to this specific area whose work relates to trees and woodlands. The residency is open to artists of any discipline who work in a socially engaged way. There is just one opportunity available for this particular opportunity.
Delivery Area of the Woodland Residency
This residency takes place within the combined areas as mentioned above – see map below. Communities include, but are not limited to, Machynlleth, Talybont, Borth, Aberystwyth, Llanidloes and the Rheidol Valley.
What we’re offering
Selected artists will be expected to spend a total of one month working in the designated area between December 2026 and March 2027. This can be undertaken in one block, or spread throughout the period.
You will receive mentorship through local artist and Tir Canol programme manager Alice Briggs.
There will be a £3000 artist fee, which will be paid in 3 installments, 40% initial payment, 40% halfway through, and 20% upon completion of the residency.
You will receive support to deliver engagement activities and events from Tir Canol’s engagement officer Rosie Slay and Coed Cadw’s engagement and communications officer Kirsten Manley. We also have a vast network of expertise through our partners and team, which can be drawn upon.
There is additional funding which will support the delivery of events and communications materials.
There is an aspiration to organise a public exhibition/s in 2027-2029 with the work developed through these residencies. We expect our artists to work with us to bring their work into an exhibitable format for an additional fee in this eventuality.
What we are asking for
The main aim of this residency is that it should aim to reconnect communities with trees and woodlands. We expect to see some demonstrable engagement with the community. This could be through conversations, workshops, events, or any other means.
Who are you?
This opportunity is open to artists of any discipline, from visual art to performing art to community art. It is also open to any career stage. Welsh language skills are not a requirement, but they will be advantageous to enable you to work with Welsh speaking communities.
The residency must relate to trees and woodland in some way. Artists must understand and respect the wildlife, ecology, and heritage of the area. We want to see how this opportunity will advance and develop your practise.
In your application forms, we will be looking for evidence of the following:
Connection to place
Artists need to have an evident connection to the Tir Canol landscape. This may be because they live here, because they have an ancestral connection to the area, or that their work or practise is strongly rooted in this landscape.
Socially engaged
We are looking for artists with a socially engaged practise.
Work which relates to trees and woodlands
We are looking for a connection to trees and woodlands. That connection could be literal, metaphorical, material or otherwise, but you should clearly explain the connection in your application form.
How to apply
The full brief can be found here.
To apply, please submit an application form, with a CV or portfolio and up to 5 images, videos, recordings, to be shared through ZIP files, Shared folders in Google Drive, Dropbox or Wetransfer, by 9am 26th October 2026.
If you have any questions about this opportunity and whether it’s right for you, please contact Rosie Slay, engagement officer, on rosie@tircanol.cymru