Spike Island is continuing its long-standing partnership with the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) to offer an exclusive opportunity for students on the MA Fine Art: Curating programme. Applications are now open for September 2025 entry, with successful candidates able to undertake a three-month curatorial residency as part of their studies. 

The residency gives emerging curators a chance to work closely with Spike Island’s professional team – or with another leading cultural organisation across the South West – gaining first-hand experience of the curatorial process within a thriving arts environment. Students will develop and deliver their own independent projects, ranging from exhibitions and public events to archival research and learning programmes, while receiving mentorship and professional development support. 

The partnership connects students with the creative communities at Spike Island, Arnolfini, and Bower Ashton, providing access to resources, networks, and opportunities that extend beyond their studies. With a range of cultural organisations spanning community arts, film, photography, art galleries, museums, festivals, arts & health and more, UWE MA Fine Art: Curating offers both theoretical and practical understandings of curating and a solid network that propels emerging curators into the cultural sector. 

In addition to the MA Curating course, Spike Island serves a key cultural partner across UWE Bristol’s Fine Art BA and MA programmes – including Curating, Printmaking, Photography and Fine Art.

Prospective students can experience the programmes in action at the upcoming MA Showcase, running from 5–7 September at Spike Island, which presents new work and projects by current students. 

Applications for the MA Fine Art programmes, including the Curating residency, are now open for September 2025. For more information on the MA Curating course, contact Subject Leader Dr Marianne Mulvey at Marianne.Mulvey@uwe.ac.uk. For information on all of the MA programmes available, get in touch with MA Programme Leader Steven Paige Steven.Paige@uwe.ac.uk.