The Dumfries House Residency
Funded artists’ residencies at Dumfries House are open to alumni of the Online Drawing Development Year.
The Dumfries House residency has an emphasis on working from observation and the development of new work. Places are available through the year, providing a private studio and self-catering accommodation on the Estate for up to four artists at any one time.
Artists will have the opportunity to spend dedicated time developing their work in a unique landscape of over 2,000 acres. Artists are invited to roam, enjoy, and draw inspiration from the entire estate and gardens as well as the 18th century mansion house. For those artists who are proficient at printmaking, there is also a dedicated print studio.
ODDY alumni Liza Kelly was awarded a residency in 2023:
'It was my first time doing a residency so I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. Firstly, the facilities at Dumfries House are amazing – I had a huge studio space and access to the wonderful print room and lots of technical support. I spent a lot of time in the first week drawing outside and in the interiors of the house. I was particularly inspired by the history of the house and that thread has continued in my work up to now. I am still thinking about history and people and the objects and places that they interacted with.
Secondly, I had full days to devote to creativity and by the end of my time I had produced a huge body of drawings and prints, including some quite ambitious large tetrapak and monotype prints.
Finally, I really enjoyed the interaction with the other artists who were on residency with me, who were a mix of faculty members and past Drawing Year alumni. It was very inspiring to work alongside other artists and gain an insight into their approaches and practice and I think we all learnt from each other in the print room. We had lovely evenings in the shared accommodation chatting over dinner and talking about our work."
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End of Year Exhibition
To mark the completion of the programme, students are invited to organise an exhibition at the School’s public gallery space in Shoreditch, East London. Developed and delivered collaboratively, this student‑led show offers a rare and valuable opportunity for students to present their work in a public setting.
Open to a wide audience, the exhibition allows students not only to showcase their artistic development over the year, but also to sell work and engage directly with the public, collectors, and the wider creative community. It is a moment to meet and celebrate with fellow students in-person.
Continue your development with the Royal Drawing School
Once you graduate, the School offers all alumni a 50% discount for online 5 & 10 week courses as well as Digital Studio courses.
Perhaps you didn't get a chance to take every course that you wanted to whilst you were enrolled on the ODDY or perhaps your practice has taken a new direction - the School can offer support as your work develops.
All alumni also receive regular newsletters from the School detailing exhibition and residency opportunities, prizes and competitions. The newsletter is also a space to share your news and exhibitions with your fellow alumni.
What do ODDY alumni go on to do?
We asked past students what their plans were once they had finished the ODDY. Here's what they said:
'I am going on a residency in Paris at the end of this year to focus on my work for a set period of time. After that, I have some exhibitions planned. I also hope to travel to London to meet my fellow students in person.' Cecelia Hedlund, Sweden
'I plan to revisit many of the drawings I made during the course as starting points for new prints. One project I’ve been thinking about for a while is a print series inspired by Alice in Wonderland and I now feel ready to begin it. My hope is to develop this series into a cohesive body of work and to exhibit it locally. The course has given me the confidence and the material to take this next step.' Marie Noëlle van Berkel-Chargois, UK
'I will keep working on my drawings and apply for two or three residencies I already have in mind. There are a couple of ideas I want to develop as well, which I discuss regularly during the mentoring sessions and tutorials. Finally, I am also planning to get back to teaching, which I really enjoy.' Marcelo Albagli, Brazil
What happens next?
After your application has been submitted, and the application window has closed:
- Your application will be reviewed by a panel of practicing artists
- You will hear back from the School on the status of your application within one month of submitting your application
Please note: there is no interview or sketchbook required for the Online Drawing Development Year applications.
Need support?
Join an upcoming Open Day to learn more about the programme and ask your questions about the course or the application process.
To learn more about what to expect on the course, browse our student stories and gain insights from past students.
Have a question we haven't answered? You may find the answer you need in our FAQs.
Still have questions? Contact the Online Drawing Development Year team.
Ready to apply?
Submit your application and join a global community of artists.