Residencies
Residencies
We Give Creatives Wings.
Studio space, a place to live on the Kent coast, and the mentorship to make something of both. Applications open 1 July 2026.
Space, tools and time to develop your practice
Envisioned by Jennifer Castoldi, founder of Trendease International, Creatives Wings was established to support emerging talent and organizations committed to creative social responsibility. Set within the inspiring coastal landscapes of Margate and Broadstairs, the residency provides creatives with the space, tools, and environment to explore and develop their practice.
Applications are welcome from designers, makers, architects, artists, writers, researchers, curators, and interdisciplinary practitioners.
Period of Residency
6 or 12 months.
Short-term guest residencies will be considered on a case-by-case basis, one-month fellowships can be requested from September 2026.
Location
Kent, United Kingdom.
The residency is based between Broadstairs and Margate, approximately 1 hour 30 minutes from London by train or car. Transport between the two towns is by bus, car or bicycle, typically 10–20 minutes.
Places
To ensure highly personalized mentorship and meaningful creative exchange, Creatives Wings hosts no more than two residencies at any one time.
Studio
A private studio at The Margate School
Participants receive:
- Private studio space located at the renowned The Margate School (Fellowships have access to the facilities rather than a private studio)
- Access to a technician at the studio
- Mentoring, networking, sales support, and exhibition opportunities
- Access to Jennifer Castoldi’s private library of ~ 1,000 titles, a mini material library, and discounts on books
- A sponsored episode of Trendease DesignVision spotlighting their work, broadcast to 190+ countries
Studio Facilities
A diverse range of resources available to residents
The school’s facilities are included as part of the residency, alongside a café offering a 10% studio-holder discount.
Studio Facilities Include:
- Screen printing with amenities including exposure units, screens, and inks
- Woodwork studio:bandsaws, table saws, mitre saws, drills, sanders, routers, handheld power tools
- Workshop equipment for model making, prototyping, and fabrication
- Ultimaker S3 3D Printer
- CO₂ Laser Cutter
- Sewing machines
- Heat transfer press equipment
- Electric kiln
- Pottery wheel
- Biolab, maker space, fab lab table, wet room, workshop space, kitchens
- DSLR, cinema, medium-format, and analogue film cameras, darkroom
- Professional studio lighting
- High-resolution scanning and digitization equipment
- 4K projection and display facilities
- Large-format Giclée and CAD printers
- Risograph printing
- Binding equipment
- Seminar room, workshop space, computer room, library
- Café with 10% studio holder discount
(List outlining details of the facilities available on request).
Accommodation
Living at Kingsgate Castle
Nearby in Broadstairs, the Creatives Wings Residency includes the opportunity to live at Kingsgate Castle, a historic Grade II listed coastal property dating back to 1760. Originally built by Henry Fox, later known as Lord Holland, the castle has a rich cultural history and has hosted aristocrats, public figures, and notable guests throughout the centuries. Situated on the eastern coastline of Kent, our private corner of the castle, which is made up of two apartments including the former drawing room, ballroom, and two private cliffside gardens, is now being reimagined as a space for creatives to live and collaborate.
Benefits of living at the castle include, but are not limited to, meeting industry and designer guests, talent mixers, being part of potluck dinners, creative and cultural excursions, book clubs, beach hikes, showcasing your work in the “living showroom”, alongside many other opportunities for exchange and inspiration.
Sponsorship & Fees
The Creatives Wings Grant
Each accepted resident receives the Creatives Wings Grant, which fully subsidizes studio rental costs at The Margate School. Residents are therefore only responsible for accommodation and personal living expenses unless additional sponsorship is secured.
Accommodation
Accommodation at Kingsgate Castle is offered at a subsidized rate of £1,500 per month. All fees directly support the maintenance and restoration of the historic property.
In time, we hope there will be no out-of-pocket expenses for creatives to attend the residency.
Payment Schedule
- £1,500 deposit, due within 14 days of acceptance in order to secure your residency dates
- £1,500 monthly thereafter, prior to the first of the month, for the remainder of the residency
Application Process
Two phases, no application fee
Applications are evaluated on artistic merit, originality, commitment to social impact, and alignment with the residency’s collaborative ethos. International applications are accepted.
Phase One
Email hello@creatives-wings.com with:
- An artist statement
- At least five images of your work
- A 300–500 word essay on why you think this residency is a good fit for you, and how your work ties into creative social responsibility
Phase Two
If your application passes Phase One, a video or in-person interview will be scheduled to determine the final outcome of your application.
- Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until spaces are filled
- Applicants are typically notified within 1–2 weeks of applying
- There is no application fee
Typical Residency Rhythm
- Independent studio practice during most weekdays
- Weekly mentor check-ins
- Optional excursions and cultural visits
- Final presentation or exhibition
Additional Information
- Accommodation at Kingsgate Castle is optional but recommended for the full immersive residency experience. Studio-only residencies may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- International applicants are welcome; however, visa fees, travel and health insurance remain the responsibility of the participant.
- Upon completion of the residency, creatives are invited to contribute work to the living showroom collection at Kingsgate Castle, though this is entirely optional.
- Residents retain full intellectual property and ownership of all work produced during the residency unless otherwise agreed in writing.
- Please note that the residency is currently not fully accessible for individuals with mobility impairments due to the historic nature of the buildings.
Our long-term goal is to secure sufficient scholarships, grants, sponsorships, donations and patron support to make the residency financially accessible to creatives from all backgrounds.
Apply for the residencies
hello@creatives-wings.comFor further information or sponsorship inquiries, please get in touch.