Signal Artist
Development Lab
2026-2027
We’re excited to announce our new Artist Development Lab for 2026!
A free opportunity for artist development, we’re looking for a group of 12 artists based in Barrow, Cumbria and Lancashire.
All art forms welcome, but we’re particularly looking for those using or interested in expanding their use of digital, photography, & film and/or have an interest in exploring socially engaged practice, participatory practice and collaboration.
The programme will provide a valuable opportunity for artists to focus and refine their practice with support from Signal and through the guidance of experienced artists and mentors.
A series of workshops will give artists the chance to learn digital art techniques, develop their own professional practice and produce work for a group exhibition at Signal in 2027. The exhibition theme will evolve with the selected group but arise from a focus on environment, landscape and protest.
The Artist Lab is a free, supportive development opportunity for local artists to:
focus and refine their practice
- gain guidance of experienced artists, mentors and peers
- learn digital art techniques
- develop professional practice
- produce work for an exhibition in 2027
- take part in masterclasses, talks and workshops in unique locations
Artist Lab 2026!
Dates
We will be running the first lab on one of the following weekends, so you will need to be free for the dates below. We will confirm which weekend upon confirmation of places.
- Saturday 24th Sunday 25th October 2026
- Saturday 31st October and Sunday 1st November 2026
- Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th November 2026
The deadline is midnight on Friday 18th September 2026 and we will inform applicants of the outcome within 14 days from this date.
Who should apply?
This programme is suitable for artists at the early to mid stages of their career, who are based or have a close connection to Barrow, Cumbria and Lancashire (Morecambe Bay)
Applicants do not have to have any previous experience of working with technology in their practice, however must demonstrate a keen interest in using technology, digital media or collaborating with those who do. This might include film, photography, programming, sound or installation work.
Minimum age for applicants is 18 years of age
Access
Please let us know if you have any access requirements or if you need the application in another format
Our previous Artist Development Lab
Since 2018 Signal has been running Artist Development Labs, working with emerging artists based in, or with a strong connection to, Cumbria.
The labs consist of talks, workshops, mentoring and visits to inspiring locations in and around Barrow. Space is created for artists to build new networks, share and get feedback about work and ideas in progress and gain skills and knowledge around using digital technology and the natural environment within a creative practice. The 2022/23 lab inspired the series of funded TIDAL micro commissions.
The Labs have benefitted from the expertise of speakers, mentors and workshop leaders including: Charlotte Horn – Exhibitions Producer (FACT Liverpool); Hwa Young Jung – Artist; Angela Chan – Artist/Researcher; Tom Ireland – Artist and Director (Abingdon Studios, Blackpool); Steve Benn – Senior Reserve Manager (Natural England), Arts Council England, Michael Raymond – Assistant Curator, Tate Modern and artists – John Fox and Sue Gill, Marshmallow Laser Feast, Rachel Pimm, ArtFly and Mishka Henner.
The 2022 – present Lab focussed on Barrow’s coastal environment and the climate crisis and in 2024 our artists explored Piel Island considering the ways we encounter new places, and were introduced to ‘Quantum Thinking’ by Jamie Jenkinson and Amy Dickson from Jewellers in Morecambe and standing amidst the ruins of Furness Abbey, artist Joseph Doubtfire led an exploratory VR workshop.
