Residencies

The successful applicants for the MERZ Funded Residencies 2019-2021 are: Catriona Robertson, Ally Wallace, Ric Kadour, Rhona Jack & Calum Wallace, WET, Julia Zinnbauer.

Self-Funded Residencies are available from November 2019 to mid January 2020 and at various times from Autumn 2020 onwards. Contact hello@merz.gallery for further details.

MERZ occupies the former lemonade factory in Sanquhar, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.

The site includes the self-contained Bothy residency, the adjoining 60m sq workshop/gallery, a tool shed and store set around a brick paved yard beside a small wooded area. MERZ offers a quiet setting close to the centre of a small rural town in Upper Nithsdale.

MERZ provides residencies for artists, authors, makers and architects. The Bothy is a flexible living space for two (with a mezzanine for a further two). The workshop/gallery enables artists to make new work and run workshops and seminars. The adjacent A’ the Airts community arts centre offers a fifty seat theatre/cinema with café and can be booked for larger public gatherings.

Sanquhar is on the rail line between Glasgow and Dumfries.

The area has a thriving network of artists, makers and authors. Local schools and community organisations have been engaged in projects at MERZ. MERZ can involve Summerhall TV, who film arts-news clips and documentaries for www.artinscotland.tv, social media and local TV channels in Scotland and abroad.

MERZ is a not for profit centre. Grants are not available and the monthly fee for the workshop/gallery and accommodation (and filming where required) compare favourably with local commercial rates.

MERZ workshop and accommodation is also wheelchair accessible.  

Recommendation

Jason Maraconi, artist from New York stayed June-July 2019

My time at MERZ was equally peaceful and productive. The facilities, town and landscape lent themselves to a restful experience, in perfect contrast to daily life in NYC. The staff were supportive in my ventures and warm in greeting me into the community. They helped supply art materials, tools and promotional material that I will continue to use after my time here. It is a great space to regenerate, create and present artistic work.

Ongoing Self-Funded Residency Program

Type of organisation

  • Artist-run

Residency Conditions

  • Two weeks to two months

Number of Artists resident at one time

  • One, a couple or a small family (maximum four)

Expenses paid by artist

  • Travel
  • Accommodation in Bothy
  • Supplies/materials
  • Food

Application

  • Open call

Selection procedure

  • To achieve a balance of pursuits and local/artistic engagements throughout the year which engage with local artists and/or the community

Description of residency

  • 19th century brick paved former Aerated Water factory
  • Historic rural town in Upper Nithsdale in South West Scotland
  • Domestic Resources
  • Self-contained building
  • Kitchen with fridge/freezer, washing machine, cooker and hob
  • Living and sleeping area
  • WiFi with TV reception
  • Wet room with shower etc

Workshop/Gallery 

  • With toilet, shower and kitchen area for exclusive use of the resident (or otherwise by arrangement)

Other activities happening in the workshop/gallery space

  • None unless by arrangement with the artist