Dreamtime Fellowship 2026

This is an open-call to Bristol-based practitioners with an interest in making art in the public domain that involves some sort of technology. We’re looking for mid-career artists who are ready to take their practice to its next level. We understand that to mean that you may have shown your work in a few places, you can articulate your practice, you have a growing body of work and a profile to match, and you would benefit from expanding your networks and having support to evolve your practice. 

What support is available? 

We offer: 

• Workspace within Watershed’s Pervasive Media Studio for 12 months from Jan to Dec 2026. This includes free desk space that you can access 7 days a week and bookable meeting rooms, workshop space and a small maker space (with some access to equipment). 

• A peer community of other Pervasive Media Studio residents who you can bounce ideas around with and could be potential collaborators for current and future projects. 

• Tailored support from Watershed to help you get the most out of your Fellowship, including regular catch ups, discussions and sharing events. 

• A £5,500 artist bursary and production budget (tax inclusive). This money can be allocated for materials, tools and your artist fee, as you see fit.  

• Three one-to-one mentoring sessions with Luke Jerram  throughout the year. 

We ask for: 

• At least 20 days dedicated research and development time at the Pervasive Media Studio. 

• Enthusiasm and ambition to grow and develop your practice. 

• An open, curious, experimental approach. A willingness to publicly test ideas out and learn from experimental artworks (which may not always go to plan).  

• A willingness to contribute to the Pervasive Media Studio community and participate in conversations with peers. 

• An informal sharing of ideas and/or learnings towards the end of the residency. 

• Some reflection and feedback on your time with us. 

You can read about the previous Dreamtime Fellows (previously based at Spike Island) here. 

How are we supporting access needs? 

Pervasive Media Studio is wheelchair accessible, we have a quiet room and there is ongoing invitation and opportunity to discuss any specific access requirements, throughout your engagement with us.    

We have staff team members who are neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+, racially minoritised, disabled, and are from a range of different class backgrounds. Please get in touch if you have similar experiences and want to chat to one of us before making an application.   

If you would like to learn more about the space and community, visit the Pervasive Media Studio website or come along to one of our Open Studio Fridays. 

Who is this opportunity for?  

To apply, you need to: 

• Live in and around Bristol (BS postcode area) 

• Be aged 18 or over 

• Be available to work at the Pervasive Media Studio in person 

• Have a practice that you define as mid-career 

• Be a practising artist interest in making public realm artwork and uses some sort of technology within your practice 

Please note: Undergraduate students or students in full time education are not eligible to apply. 

Key Dates: 

• Wed 15 Oct – Applications Close 

• Fri 24 Oct - Applicants notified 

• Tue 4 or Wed 5 Nov – Shortlisted applicant interviews (online or phone) 

• Tue 18 Nov  - Applicants notified 

• Mon 12 Jan – Fri 11 Dec 2026 – Fellowship Period 

How do you apply? 

To apply you will need to complete an application form using the button below.

Apply for the Dreamtime Fellowship 2026

With the exception of contact details, the application form allows responses in written or audio formats. You’ll be asked: 

• For your contact details (Name, Telephone, Email, Postcode) 

• To confirm you meet the eligibility criteria by ticking a box 

• To respond to the following questions: 

1. Please provide a short artist biography (250 words or 2 min audio) 

2. Tell us why would you like to participate in the Dreamtime Fellowship. Why would this opportunity be useful at this point in your development? (100–350 words or up to 3 min audio)  

3. We’re looking for people who want to make public realm artwork involving some sort of technology. Tell us about something you’ve made, the kinds of things you’re interested in, any technical skills you might have or how you have incorporated technology into your practice. (100–350 words or up to 3 min audio) 

4. This opportunity includes mentoring with artist Luke Jerram. What would you like mentoring around? What questions might you have for Luke? (100-250 words or 2 min audio) 

• Please attach a PDF or provide a web link with 4-6 images of your work with captions. 

• Let us know your interview date preference (4 Nov, 5 Nov, or no preference). 

The form doesn’t have a save function, so we recommend prepping your answers first, then pasting them in. Don’t worry if you're slightly over or under the word/time counts. 

What happens when I’ve submitted my application?  

You should receive an auto-response from us confirming we have received your application.  

After the closing date/time passes, the submitted application forms will be shortlisted by a panel using the criteria outlined below. The shortlist will be invited to attend an online or phone interview which will be around 30 minutes in length. Questions will be sent in advance.   

One recipient will be selected from interviews. 

If you have any access requirements that means the form or online/phone interviews do not work for you, please contact us at any point on: talentdevelopment@watershed.co.uk   

What is the assessment criteria?  

When assessing eligible applications, we will score each one against the following questions:  

• Does the person applying clearly articulate their practice and area/s of interest? 

• Does the person applying show commitment to and skills in making public realm artwork?  

• Does the person applying show skills in making work that involves technology? 

• Does the person applying demonstrate that their practice is mid career? 

• Will this Fellowship make a difference to the person applying? 

How can you get in touch with any comments, questions, or thoughts?  

We look forward to hearing from you and if you have any questions or queries you can:   

Drop us a line on  talentdevelopment@watershed.co.uk 

Join us at an  Open Studio Friday   

About Pervasive Media Studio 

The Pervasive Media Studio hosts a brilliant community of over 200 artists, creative companies, technologists and academics exploring experience design and creative technology. It is a collaboration between Watershed, University of Bristol and UWE Bristol. Our projects can be cultural or commercial and span play, robotics, location-based media, food, connected objects, interactive documentary and new forms of performance. We test our projects as early as possible and iterate. 

We are based within Watershed on Bristol's historic dockside. We have an open plan Studio with a culture of generosity, curiosity and interuptability. We believe that by bringing people together from a broad range of backgrounds, skills, experiences and opinions, all of our ideas get better. 

About Luke Jerram and the Jerram Foundation 

Luke Jerram’s multidisciplinary practice involves the creation of sculptures, installations and live arts projects. Living in the Bristol but working internationally since 1997, Jerram has created a number of extraordinary art projects which have excited and inspired people around the globe. Since his career began Luke Jerram has had over 900 exhibitions around the world.  

With many of his artworks in permanent collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Wellcome Collection in London, he also tours his art installations to art festivals and museums worldwide.  

Having had a workspace at Watershed early in his career, he moved on to set up his own studio at Paintworks. Now an established artist, he’s keen to support the next generation of artists in Bristol through his newly created Jerram Foundation.  

Closing Date: Wed 15 October, 10:00 BST

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