Call for Artists: Biosphere Artist in Residence 2025/26 

Manx Wildlife Trust (MWT), in partnership with UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man, Isle of Man Arts Council and Culture Vannin, is inviting proposals for the fourth Biosphere Artist in Residence. 
 
This year-long residency will run from October 2025 to October 2026 and offers a unique opportunity for an artist or art collective to connect new audiences with Manx nature, culture, and language through creative practice. The residency is supported by £12,000 in funding (including stipend, materials, and in-kind support) and is open to Isle of Man residents or locally registered organisations. 
 
The 2025–26 residency comes at a special time: it coincides with 2026, the Year of the Manx Language, and with the 10th anniversary of the Isle of Man becoming a UNESCO Biosphere. Both milestones celebrate our island’s identity and provide a platform to inspire creativity, community, and connection with the environment. 
 
The successful artist will: 
Deliver at least five public events, workshops or artistic interventions across the Island, including one at a Manx Wildlife Trust site and two aimed at audiences less familiar with MWT. 
Create one flagship piece or event to act as a focal point for public and media interest. 
Explore links between Manx nature, culture, community, and the Manx language (with support available from Culture Vannin). 
Develop digital engagement, including social media updates and blog posts. 
Reflect on the residency at its conclusion, contributing to its legacy. 
 
The residency is designed to support artists in developing their practice while inspiring pride, understanding, and action for our Island’s nature and culture. Past residents have found the experience rewarding both creatively and personally, with opportunities to reach new audiences and collaborate closely with Biosphere and conservation partners. 
 
Applications are welcome from artists working in any medium. Proposals can be submitted in written, audio or video format, outlining your creative response to the brief, community engagement plans, time frame, and portfolio examples. 
 
Deadline for applications: midnight, Sunday 21st September 2025 
Interviews: Thursday 9 October 2025 at St John’s Mill 
 
For more information about the residency see this page.  
 
For an informal discussion contact Dr Carmel Croukamp, Head of Engagement at Manx Wildlife Trust: carmel@mwt.im