Connect people with Manx nature, culture and language through art. Manx Wildlife Trust, working with UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man and funded by the Isle of Man Arts Council, invites an artist or creative collective working in any discipline to undertake a year-long funded residency.

The role

Develop an innovative, accessible and community-focused creative programme that engages people across the Island, particularly audiences who do not usually connect with nature or Manx Wildlife Trust. The residency offers opportunities to develop your creative practice, explore new approaches and build relationships with the partner organisations.

Residency period: 15 January 2027 to 15 January 2028. All work, outputs and events must take place within this period.

What you will deliver

• At least five public events, educational opportunities, activities or live/digital artistic interventions for varied audiences across the Island. These must include at least one at an MWT site, at least two away from MWT sites, and one flagship artistic intervention to generate public interest and media coverage.
• Community engagement and participatory experiences that deepen understanding of, care for and pride in Manx nature and the Island’s UNESCO Biosphere.
• Development of your creative knowledge, skills and practice, including opportunities to explore innovation, media or technology.
• A reflection towards the end of the residency that contributes to its legacy, in a format outlined in your proposal.
• Digital engagement through a dedicated webpage, social media and regular blog posts, alongside press releases and interviews, with support.
• Engagement with the MWT team and its conservation work, relationship-building with all three partner organisations, and participation in evaluating the residency’s impact.

Funding and support

The residency includes a £6,000 artist stipend covering a minimum of 25 days at £240 per day across the year, a £4,000 materials budget for equipment, materials, training and event costs, and £2,000 in-kind support from MWT. The total residency package is valued at £12,000.

Support includes office space and equipment at MWT’s Peel headquarters, staff expertise, social media support and access to conservation and Biosphere knowledge. Specialist evaluation support will be provided. The MWT Engagement Team can also support applications for additional project funding or sponsorship.

Who can apply

Artists and creatives working in any discipline, individually or as a collective, are welcome to apply. You must be an Isle of Man resident, or your organisation must be registered in the Isle of Man. Eligibility will be checked before an award is announced.

How to apply

Submit your application electronically to carmel@mwt.im by Wednesday 9 December 2026. Hard-copy applications will not be accepted.

Choose one application format:

• Written or still-image application: no more than three sides of A4, submitted as one electronic document.
• Audio or moving-image application: no more than three minutes, submitted as a single MP3 or MP4 file, accompanied by no more than one side of A4 addressing your budget and delivery time frame.

Your application should include:

• Your artistic response to the brief and how you will meet the residency deliverables.
• Your understanding of the objectives of Manx Wildlife Trust, UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man and the Isle of Man Arts Council.
• Outline plans for community engagement and/or participatory work.
• A proposed time frame for delivering activities and outputs within the residency period.
• Evidence of your portfolio, which may include a link to examples of your work.

Selection process

Applicants chosen to present will be invited to interviews at St Johns Mill on Tuesday 15 December 2026. The panel will include representatives from Manx Wildlife Trust, Biosphere Isle of Man and the Isle of Man Arts Council. It will review proposed delivery time frames for feasibility and may request reasonable amendments before awarding funds. The panel reserves the right not to make an award if no suitable proposals are received.

Activity outside the residency period is not eligible, and funding will not be awarded retrospectively for work already completed.

Find out more

For an informal conversation or questions about the brief, contact Dr Carmel Croukamp, Head of Engagement, Manx Wildlife Trust, at carmel@mwt.im. Read more about the Biosphere Artist in Residence programme and see the 2026/27 Call for Proposals below.