Cluster Illustration Artist-in-Residence

After successful past editions, the Cluster Artist-in-Residence returns with its mission to support emerging talent through a carefully curated, artist-first model - offering tailored support, mentorship, and meaningful connection to shape the next stage of their careers.

This fully funded four-week residency in East London offers tailored mentorship, private studio and accommodation, and full support for production, materials, food, and transport-culminating in a solo exhibition, showcase at Vienna Design Week, and participation in the Cluster fair.

Designed for illustrators looking to refine their practice and connect with leading voices in contemporary visual culture, this fully funded programme takes place in London, one of the world's most dynamic creative capitals.

The Residency Experience

A fully immersive, supportive, and professionally focused opportunity for illustrators and visual artists, providing the structure needed to develop impactful new work while living and working in one of the world's most vibrant creative cities.

Vienna Design Week is our official Partner for the 2026 Cluster Illustration Artist-in-Residence Programme. As part of this collaboration, our four shortlisted artists and winner from the Illustration Residency Programme will have the opportunity to showcase their work during the festival in a dedicated exhibition space curated by Cluster.

Support is at the heart of the residency:

Ema Marinova, founder of Cluster, personally oversees each residency, curating a tailored mentorship plan based on the artist's goals

She remains available throughout the programme for logistical and professional support

The wider Cluster team is actively involved and ready to assist whenever needed

A handpicked group of mentors and industry professionals work directly with the resident, offering valuable feedback, guidance, and connections

Key Dates

Residency period - 2026 (with flexibility to adjust the dates based on the selected artist's availability)

Final showcase - The solo exhibition will be conducted 3 to 5 months (or else) after the end of the residency

This fully funded four-week residency in East London offers tailored mentorship, private studio and accommodation, and full support for production, materials, food, and transport-culminating in a solo exhibition, showcase at Vienna Design Week, and participation in the Cluster fair.

Artists will stay at Cluster's House - A Creative Sanctuary in the Heart of East London. This fully furnished, one bedroom duplex apartment offers comfort, inspiration, and full privacy throughout the programme.

Located in East London, the studio offers a spacious and inspiring working environment, designed to support both quiet focus and large-scale creation.

• Application Forms
• Artist Statement
• Cv
• Project Description

Cluster welcomes applications from illustrators based anywhere around the world, at any stage of their career, and of any age or nationality.

Medium/discipline restrictions

This is an illustration-focused residency, and we particularly welcome artists working across interdisciplinary practices. While the programme is centred on illustration, we encourage approaches that integrate other mediums where they meaningfully support the development of the work. Interdisciplinary practice is welcomed, as long as illustration remains central to the project.

This residency is intended for emerging to mid-level career artists. Applicants who have already had a solo exhibition in the UK are not eligible to apply, as the programme is designed to support those who are at an earlier stage in their career development.