Funding Awarded to Sir John Soane’s Museum: Jerwood Artist in Residence Programme

In a new partnership announced on 23 June 2025, Jerwood Foundation has awarded Sir John Soane’s Museum a total grant of £105,000 over the next three years to launch the Jerwood Artist in Residence Programme. This funding will support a total of six residencies, where two artist residencies will be hosted each year.

This innovative residency programme was established in 2023 after the restoration of Soane’s remarkable Drawing Office, where his apprentices and draftsmen worked on ideas and projects over 200 years ago. Just as Soane supported the next generation of architectural talent, the residency programme offers contemporary artists a vibrant space to embrace inquiry and find creative inspiration, surrounded by Soane’s extensive collection at the heart of the Museum.

The 2025 Jerwood Artists in Residence will be Simon Farid (b. 1987) and Mohammed Qasim Ashfaq (b.1982).  Simon and Mohammed will be developing new work in response to the context of the historic space and the wider legacy of Sir John Soane’s Museum.

Lara Wardle, Executive Director and Trustee, Jerwood Foundation said:

Embarking on this new partnership with Sir John Soane’s Museum underlines Jerwood’s commitment to supporting excellence in the arts in the UK. The Jerwood Artist in Residence Programme offers a unique opportunity to artists, to enable them to develop their drawing practice within the exceptional and inspiring setting of Sir John Soane’s Museum and its historic Drawing Office.

Will Gompertz, Director, Sir John Soane’s Museum, said:

The historic importance of the Museum, its archive and collections are well known but less so is our work with contemporary artists and the relevance of the Museum and its collection to artists, architects and designers practicing now. The important funding and wider support from Jerwood Foundation will make sure that the residency programme allows us to continue developing our investment and relationships with exciting, talented contemporary practitioners working in the fields of art and architecture. We extend our sincere thanks to the 2025 Residency Selection Committee for their thoughtful expertise and guidance in the selection process: Clarrie Wallis, Dr Louise Stewart, Zoé Whitley, Asif Khan and Pio Abad. I would also like to acknowledge the kind and generous support of The Clare McKeon Charitable Trust.

The Jerwood Artist in Residence at the Soane will continue to highlight contemporary practices that extend the legacy of drawing beyond the page. We look forward to welcoming these two remarkable artists here, and to sharing the outcomes of their residencies with the public.

For further information please visit Sir John Soane’s Museum.

June 23, 2025