Royal Society of Sculptors Awards and Residencies
The Royal Society of Sculptors provides a comprehensive ecosystem of support for artists, ranging from financial grants for large-scale public works to immersive residencies in diverse natural environments. By offering these opportunities, the Society helps sculptors transition from emerging talent to established professionals, fostering innovation in three-dimensional art.
Key Facts
- First Plinth provides £10,000 toward production costs for large-scale public sculptures.
- Gilbert Bayes Award supports emerging sculptors with professional packages and society membership.
- Spotlight Award offers a solo en plein air (outdoor) exhibition at Contemporary Sculpture Fulmer.
- Global Residencies span locations from the wilderness of Eilean Shona to rural Senegal.
- Historical Legacy includes long-standing support for women sculptors via the Lady Feodora Gleichen Memorial Fund.
Current Awards and Financial Support
First Plinth: Public Art Award
Formerly known as FIRST@108, the First Plinth is a biennial award providing £10,000 to assist with the production costs of a large-scale sculpture. Supported by the Mirisch & Lebenheim Charitable Foundation, this award is open to any artist working in three dimensions, specifically designed to help sculptors gain experience in competing for major public art commissions. The 2021 winner was Polly Morgan.
Gilbert Bayes Award
Established in 2000 as the RBS Bursary Awards and renamed in 2018, this annual award is funded by the Gilbert Bayes charitable trust. It targets a small group of emerging sculptors with outstanding potential, regardless of age, nationality, or formal training. The award facilitates the transition to professional practice by providing a professional support package, including annual membership to the Society. Notable past winners include Alex Chinneck, Tessa Farmer, and William Mackrell.
Spotlight Award
Founded in 2017, this award is hosted at Contemporary Sculpture Fulmer, a private sculpture park in Buckinghamshire. The award allows Society members and fellows to install a solo exhibition en plein air (in the open air) within a dedicated woodland area. The successful artist works closely with director George Marsh to create a series of works or a single large installation. The current winner is Daniel Solomons.
Artist Residencies
Nature and Wilderness Retreats
The Society offers several residencies that encourage artists to respond to the natural environment:
- Grizedale Residency: An intensive six-week program in Grizedale Forest, supported by the Brian Mercer Charitable Trust, focusing on experimentation and innovation.
- Eilean Shona Residency: A month-long, members-only opportunity to live and work on the wilderness island of Eilean Shona.
- Red House Residency: A creative retreat in Aldeburgh, Suffolk, located at the former home of composer Benjamin Britten. This residency is specifically open to women members of the Society.
International Opportunities
The Thread Residency provides a cultural exchange in Sinthian, a rural village in the Tambacounda region of southeastern Senegal. This program offers local and international artists dedicated dwellings and extensive indoor and outdoor studio spaces.
Summary of Major Awards and Residencies
| Award/Residency | Focus | Key Benefit | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Plinth | Public Art | £10,000 production grant | 3D Artists |
| Gilbert Bayes | Professional Growth | Support package & membership | Emerging Sculptors |
| Spotlight Award | Solo Exhibition | Outdoor installation in Buckinghamshire | Members & Fellows |
| Grizedale | Environmental Art | 6-week intensive residency | Selected Artists |
| Eilean Shona | Wilderness Reflection | 1-month island residency | Members only |
| Red House | Creative Retreat | Peaceful studio time in Suffolk | Women Members |
Past Awards and Historical Initiatives
The Society has a rich history of supporting artists through various defunct programs. The Brian Mercer Residencies previously offered scholarships for members to study stone or bronze casting in Pietrasanta, Italy. From 1938 to 1988, the Lady Feodora Gleichen Memorial Fund provided £100 annual awards to women sculptors, honoring one of the Society's first female members.
Other notable past honors include the Otto Beit medal, funded by philanthropist Sir Otto Beit, and Sculpture Shock (launched 2013). The latter provided £3,000 and a three-month residency in Kensington for artists creating site-specific interventions in Subterranean, Ambulatory, or Historic environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the First Plinth award?
The First Plinth is open to any artist working in three dimensions who wishes to extend their practice into large-scale public art commissions.
What does the Gilbert Bayes Award provide to emerging artists?
It provides a package of professional support designed to help artists transition into full professional practice, which includes an annual membership to the Royal Society of Sculptors.
Where is the Spotlight Award exhibition located?
The exhibition takes place at Contemporary Sculpture Fulmer, a private sculpture park in Buckinghamshire, specifically within a designated woodland area.
Are there specific residencies for women sculptors?
Yes, the Red House Residency in Suffolk is specifically open to women members of the Royal Society of Sculptors.
What was the purpose of the Sculpture Shock initiative?
Launched in 2013, it encouraged site-specific spatial interventions in non-traditional, non-gallery spaces across London, such as subterranean or historic environments.