Digital Artist Residency 2026

Open Call: Digital Artist Residency
Thank you for your interest in applying for the Digital Artist Residency 2026 with Studio/Lab at FACT Liverpool. This residency is focussed on using Unreal Engine as a creative medium to explore making artworks with game engines.

The deadline for applications is 23:59 on 31 March 2026.

We are looking for applications from early-career, less-established artists. You may be getting started in your career, have taken a break from your art practice, or starting to shift your art practice in a more digital direction and need some support. Please note, we will not accept applications from current full-time students including those within postgraduate study, but will consider part-time postgrad candidates.

There are three residency spaces available:
- 1 space is commissioned in partnership with Lucid Games
- 1 space is commissioned in partnership with DaDa (Disability Arts and Deaf Arts)
- 1 space is commissioned in partnership with Homotopia
You will get to choose in this form which residency partner you would like to be supported by. Please note all three artists will receive skills development and support in using Unreal Engine through the Lucid Games team with skills-based workshops as part of the residency schedule.

There will be an online information sharing sessions on Friday 13 March 2026 at 17:30 – 18:30 with Mali Draper, Studio/Lab Producer (Technology). This will be a one-hour online call to learn more about this opportunity, ask for guidance with the application process and discuss any questions you might have.

If you need any further support with the application process, please email studiolab@fact.co.uk with the subject line 'Digital Residency 2026: [Your Name]'. DaDa are able to offer more bespoke support to artists applying specifically for their residency via Denise at denisek@dadafest.co.uk, or by phone at 07510 669040.
Eligibility

We use this information to understand if you are eligible for this residency. You must tick all four boxes to be eligible.
1. To be eligible for this project please tick all boxes.*
Applicant Details

This section is to gather practical information and to make sure we can contact you.
1. Name*
2. Pronouns*
3. Email*
4. (Optional) Phone number
5. Please state your nearest town/city.*
Proposal

This section is for you to share your ideas on how you plan to use this residency.
1. Tell us a bit about your practice, why you’d like to take part in this residency, and give a quick idea of what you’re interested in making with Unreal Engine, but there's no need to go into extensive details. *

Please note that the project you are proposing can be something you have already been researching, or related to something you have already been working on. You may want to push an idea further or integrate it into a gaming environment for the first time. If you prefer to upload an Audio/Visual proposal, please enter 'N/A' in the box below.0/300
(Optional) Audio/Video proposal (please note we can only consider files that have a two minute maximum duration).

10 MB limit per file
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Your Creative Practice

This section helps us to get an overview of your practice with examples of your work.
1. You can upload up to three examples of your work here. This should outline your experiences as an artist from at least the last two years. You should provide at least 1 of the following: CV / Artist Portfolio / Website URL / Links to social media profile. Uploads can be added here:*

10 MB limit
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(Optional) If you want to provide a URL instead of upload files, please share it here and tell us exactly what we should look at, rather than an entire social media feed.

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Residency Outcome

You’ll get the chance to showcase a single-screen version of the work that you make on this residency on the Studio/Lab Gallery wall on the first floor of FACT in Autumn 2026.
1. Please tick here to show you are happy to produce a new single-screen version of a work at the end of the residency to be showcased at FACT Liverpool from Autumn 2026.*
Pick Your Residency Partner!

There are three residency spots, one sponsored by Lucid Games, one by Dada and another by Homotopia.
Lucid Games. Lucid is excited to see what themes and ideas might be explored as gaming and art become even more intertwined.DaDa. DaDa is looking to work with a disabled artist keen to explore social justice and inclusion through the lens of disability and committed to creatively embedding access into the project.Homotopia. Homotopia is looking to work with an artist interested in exploring queer arts, culture and activism.
Access

The information you give in this section is to help us understand your access needs.
1. Studio/Lab is flexible to the different circumstances in which people work and we are open to however it is you may define access. If your application is successful and you are invited to the next stage for an online shortlist interview (10 - 15 minutes), are there any adjustments you would like us to make for you?

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If you need any further support with the application process, please email studiolab@fact.co.uk with the subject line 'Digital Residency 2026: [Your Name]'.

DaDa are able to offer more bespoke support to artists applying specifically for their residency via Denise at denisek@dadafest.co.uk, or by phone at 07510 669040.
Next Steps
We aim to notify applicants on the outcome of your application by Friday 24 April 2026.
(Optional) FACT's Equal Opportunities Monitoring
Please fill out FACT’s optional Confidential Equal Opportunities Survey.
Please click 'Submit' to complete your application! Thank you for taking the time to complete this form. You should receive an acknowledgement email.
Application Form
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Open Call: Digital Artist Residency

Eligibility

Applicant Details

Proposal

Your Creative Practice

Residency Outcome

Pick Your Residency Partner!

Access

Next Steps

(Optional) FACT's Equal Opportunities Monitoring

Application Form