Residencies

    Ongoing Self-Funded Residency Program

    The MERZ residency offers a supportive framework with opportunities to engage formally and informally with local artists in the area as well as young people in the community.

    MERZ is about ‘art as idea’, ideas leading to or from an outcome, including exhibitions and films. Options to film and exhibit work throughout the residency.

    MERZ is keen to explore how art contributes positively towards climate change, migration and gender awareness. 

    MERZ Self-Funded Residencies in the Bothy, Tadpole and No 5 are available throughout the year.

    Residency bookings from overseas are for a minimum of 28 days, while fees are reduced over the Winter months for the MERZ 2 – 6 month hunker down residency .

    Please make a short initial enquiry by email with a link to bio or CV. MERZ will respond and suggest how our local art and natural environment might contribute to your work or plans.

    MERZ Residency Enquiry

    Living Accommodation and Workspaces

    MERZ and Museum of Model Art and the residency accommodation are 100 metres apart and span Sanquhar Cultural Quarter, with a nearby cafe at the community arts centre, Tolbooth Museum, bakers opening at 7:00am, greengrocers, small supermarkets, hotels and a newsagents.

    MERZ Self-funded Residencies are priced on a four-weekly basis. Appropriate studio space is available at no extra cost, and is allocated by availability and suitability. An exhibition and film are offered where required. Shorter residencies can be arranged on an individual basis.

    BOTHY
    micro-house

    Converted stone building adjacent to MERZ gallery with self-contained living space for one or two people.

    • Sleeps 1-2 people
    • Solar powered air-source heating
    • Wet room with shower, toilet, basin
    • Mezzanine double bed
    • Murphy pull-down double bed
    • Kitchen with fridge / freezer, washing machine, cooker and hob
    • Wheelchair accessible

    £1,500 per four weeks

    Full details

    NO 5
    traditional cottage 

    A cosy two / three bedroomed house opposite the Museum of Model Art offering an adaptable living / workspace on the ground floor.

    • Sleeps 1-3 people
    • Two bedrooms – one single, one double
    • Upstairs living room with double sofa bed
    • Fully equipped kitchen 
    • Wood burning stove
    • Shower room
    • Separate toilet room with basin

    £1,680 per four weeks for one or two people, £2,000 for three people.

    Full details

    TADPOLE
    micro-house

    Accommodation with a raised bed, studio space beneath, kitchen / utility area, en-suite shower, TV, WiFi.

    • Sleeps 1-2 people
    • Wood burning stove
    • King sized loft bed
    • Adjacent fitted kitchen with further fridge and freezer
    • Electric heater
    • Mini kitchen 
    • Large shower with toilet and basin

    £1,400 per four weeks

    Full details

    Studios / Workspaces

    • MERZ Gallery/Workshop – the stand alone former lemonade factory. Indoor space suitable for printing/drawing/writing/research and for exhibition. Includes a shower room with toilet and sink and a pull-out small kitchen. Electricity provided by solar panels, heating by a wood burning stove.
    • Museum of Model Art – the Museum serves as a workshop and artist gathering place when not in use for exhibitions.
    • Work-shed – On the MERZ site there is tall shed with electricity, power tools and equipment available to use (subject to insurance), suitable for woodworking/sculpting and with a lean-to and yard for outdoor working.
    • ZIPStudio – a shared studio space, gas central heating – suitable for small scale work.

    Exhibition / Display

    • MERZ Gallery/Workshop suitable for on-going and resident’s public displays and exhibitions
    • Museum of Model Art, Sanquhar – a small museum with an emphasis (as suggested!) on ‘models’, architectural and design or ‘unrealised and imagined proposals conceived in miniature’
    • Sculpture Green – for display of large outdoor work (murals, sculpture and the art-houses) in a publicly accessible part of Sanquhar’s conservation area and Cultural Quarter
    • No 5’s studio is suitable for short term pop-up displays/screenings/exhibitions offering accommodation above the studio/small exhibition or rehearsal space

    The art-houses

    Three Polish n-126 caravans converted into art-houses (Kurt Schwitters and Hannah Höch) and Soviet era filmmakers. Sitting on the sculpture green the art-houses are suitable for an immersive overnight/short term visit with access to kitchen, toilet and shower facilities. Suitable (comfortably) for two, each art-house was reconfigured by contemporary artists Amy Marletta, Denise Zygadlo, Dougie Sharpe and David Rushton to build on these artists’ legacies into contemporary times from their critical reflections on the crisis in Europe 100 years ago.  

    • £35.00 per night (without bedding £30.00)

    For enquiries and further information contact hello@merz.gallery

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What type of organisation is MERZ?

    MERZ is an artist-run residency and gallery dedicated to fostering creativity and supporting artistic practice.

    What are the residency conditions?

    Residencies are typically one or two months, with longer stays (2–6 months) available during the Winter at reduced fees.

    How many artists can be in residence at one time?

    • Bothy: Accommodates a single artist, a couple, or a small family (up to four people).
    • Tadpole: Suitable for a single artist or a couple (up to two people).
    • No 5: Ideal for a small family with additional studio space on the ground floor.
    • Snug: Reserved for teaching staff and not currently available for residency applications.

    What expenses are covered by the artist?

    Artists are responsible for:

    • Travel
    • Accommodation fees
    • Supplies and materials
    • Food

    What is the application process?

    To apply, please email an initial enquiry with a link to your bio or CV. There is no formal application form.

    What is the selection process?

    MERZ engages directly with applicants to explore how the residency can best support their artistic interests and ambitions.

    Where is MERZ located?

    MERZ is situated in the former Aerated Water factory in Sanquhar, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The rural town of Sanquhar is part of Upper Nithsdale in Southwest Scotland and is easily accessible by train from Glasgow or Dumfries.

    What facilities does MERZ provide?

    MERZ features a unique blend of historic and functional spaces, including:

    • A 19th-century brick-paved former Aerated Water factory housing the main gallery and workshop.
    • The Museum of Model Art and ZIPStudio, set in a restored 19th-century brick and stone industrial building.
    • Flexible studio and workspace options, such as the Work-shed, ZIPStudio, and Sculpture Green for outdoor projects.
    • Living accommodations that blend comfort with creative functionality (Bothy, Tadpole, and No 5).

    Are there exhibition opportunities?

    Yes, MERZ offers options for displaying work, including:

    • The MERZ Gallery/Workshop, suitable for ongoing or final exhibitions.
    • The Museum of Model Art, focused on models, architecture, and conceptual designs.
    • The Sculpture Green, for large-scale outdoor installations.
    • Pop-up spaces, such as the studio at No 5, for exhibitions, screenings, and rehearsals.

    Gallery