Fine Arts

Fine Arts

Amba Sayal-Bennett, Lor, 2022.
Lara Smithson, Unnamed saint, 2022.
Barbara Walker, Marking the Moment 6, 2020-2022.
Fine Arts Awards at the British School at Rome offer exceptional artists the opportunity to live and work in one of the world’s most artistically and historically rich cities. These 3- to 9-month residencies provide en-suite studios, shared meals around our communal table, and—most importantly—dedicated time and space to focus on artistic practice and research.
Since its foundation, the BSR has supported leading figures in contemporary art. Alumni include Cornelia Parker, Laure Prouvost, Barbara Walker, and Mark Wallinger, who described his residency as “breathtaking… I just roamed the city day after day and feasted myself on everything…the whole thing inspired me for years afterwards.” Read more
Residents are supported by our Visual Art Residency and Programme Curator, Marta Pellerini, who organises artist studio visits, the Fine Arts Talks Programme, and our termly Open Studios — key public events that foster dialogue, community, and critical exchange.

Selection Criteria

In making an appointment to an award the Faculty of the Fine Arts will assess all applications using the following set of criteria:

  • the quality of the applicant’s creative output and the appropriateness of their qualifications

  • the extent to which the applicant’s proposal reflects the purpose of the award

  • the viability of the proposal as a project to be carried out with support from the BSR.

In addition to these three basic selection criteria, the selectors will take into consideration the potential for the award to impact on the applicant’s creative development and will attempt to ensure that the needs and interests of the successful applicant are compatible with the facilities available at the BSR and the interests of its community. Credit will be given to those who are no longer in full- or part-time education at the time of application. Applications from those who have held a residency at the BSR in the previous two years will not normally be considered.

Benefits: what we offer

Award holders at the British School at Rome receive a comprehensive package of support, including:

  • Board and lodging in our historic building, located at the edge of the beautiful Villa Borghese Gardens.

  • Full academic and administrative support, including facilitated access to special collections, libraries, museums, and archaeological and art historical sites not normally open to the public.

  • Italian language instruction provided on site, supporting both research and daily life in Rome.

  • 24-hour access to the BSR Library, an important resource for research in Italian studies, archaeology, history, and the visual arts.

  • Opportunities to participate in organised site visits, workshops, interdisciplinary seminars, and the BSR’s public events programme.

  • Most awards include a monthly stipend to help cover living and research expenses

Latest Events

Latest Events

ITALY
Winter Open Studios 2025
The British School at Rome is delighted to present Winter Open Studios 2025, an evening dedicated to studio visits of artists in residence at the
Opning night: 3 December 2025, 6 - 8.30 pm
Also open on 4 December, 3-7 pm

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