The theme for this year welcomes submissions that invite reflection and expansion on the deep connections between Manx language and culture and Manx landscapes and wildlife.
Contact details
Applications should be sent to MWT Head of Engagement, Carmel Croukamp, via email: carmel@mwt.im and be received no later than 12midnight on Sunday 21st September 2025.
Manx Wildlife Trust is delighted to be hosting our fourth Biosphere Artist in Residence. This year, Culture Vannin joins as a supporting partner alongside UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man and Isle of Man Arts Council, MWT invites proposals for a year-long funded artist residency.
The Biosphere Artist in Residence programme brings together art, nature, and community to create work that reflects and strengthens the Island’s identity as a place where culture and environment are inseparable. The focus of the role is connecting new audiences to the Island’s natural world through the medium of art. Its vision is to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to connect more deeply with the Isle of Man’s landscapes, wildlife, modern identity and community life. By encouraging collaboration, participation, and creative expression, the residency aims to foster a greater appreciation of our Biosphere status and to spark positive action for a sustainable future.
Biospheres connect people to the world around them, prompting awareness, care and action. This has never been more important. Our membership of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme affords us the chance to collaborate with, and learn from, other Biospheres worldwide, and they to learn from us, as we all seek sustainable solutions. As the only ‘entire nation’ Biosphere, the Isle of Man is renowned across the globe as a leader in enabling people to more easily connect with our nature, culture, heritage and community life.
The Isle of Man Arts Council works to deliver its vision of arts, culture and creativity for everyone in the Island. This residency invests in the creative community, develops the knowledge, skills and creative practice of the Manx artists, and champions the arts as fundamental to our wellbeing and sense of place.
Culture Vannin believes in developing and encouraging innovative and exciting projects that enable us all to engage meaningfully in our Island life. This makes the Island a more attractive place to live, adds to a sense of community and distinguishes us from our international competitors by reinforcing an inclusive national identity. A strong and vibrant language, exciting traditional music scene and growing sense of identity sends out a message to the world of a confident, innovative and proud island nation.
Manx Wildlife Trust supports these ambitions and knows that a society where nature matters is key to our wellbeing. We believe in developing creative partnerships to get people outdoors experiencing and enjoying Manx landscapes and seascapes. This residency brings people closer to nature at our sites, reaches local communities including those who don’t normally engage with MWT, and offers opportunities across the Island to take part in creative and cultural activities that improve our Island understanding of nature, our Biosphere, wellbeing and quality of life.
This Biosphere Artist in Residence programme’s ambition is for an Isle of Man that inspires people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy our culture and the arts. We welcome proposals demonstrating innovative, adventurous, and creative artistic responses to this brief.
What you receive if your are our Artist in Residence:
- Status/Title of being the Biosphere/MWT Artist in Residence for 2025/2026
- Stipend £6,000
- £4,000 materials budget
- £2,000 of in-kind support from MWT
- Be part of the MWT team – working with our existing staff and volunteers.
- Opportunity to engage wider audiences in the IOM about art and Manx nature.
- Opportunity to create a legacy, with artwork that remains on permanent exhibition beyond the residency.
What you will deliver:
- Five public engagement events including within MWT Nature Reserves and in the major centres of population
- Promote Manx nature through art
- Digital Engagement: a webpage/website, social media and a blog by the artist.
Application Process
We welcome applications in written, sound, or moving-image format. For fairness, the following restrictions on length of applications apply:
- No more than 3 sides of A4 submitted electronically as one document (hard copy applications will not be accepted). Still-image submissions must conform to this limit.
- No more than 3 minutes of audio or audio-visual content submitted electronically as a single file in MP3 or MP4 format, accompanied by no more than 1 side of A4 which addresses the budget and time frame requirements.
Your application should include and demonstrate the following:
- Your artistic response to the brief, addressing the deliverables in section 4.
- Your understanding of the Biosphere and Isle of Man Arts Council objectives in relation to section 2 (Brief)
- Your outline plans for community engagement and/or participatory work as required in section 3 (Deliverables)
- Proposed time frame for delivery of activities and outputs
- Evidence of your portfolio (this may include a URL link to further examples of your work)
Applications can be submitted here: carmel@mwt.im
**The deadline for application is 12midnight on Sunday 21st September 2025**
Find the full call for proposals for the role below.