Residencies at the BSR offer artists and architects access to Rome and Italy as an exceptional repertory of the visual culture of the past, and encourage informed and innovative responses to that cultural heritage. They offer the superb opportunity to research and focus upon work away from normal pressures, and to use the BSR as a base to explore Rome and Italy.

A strong provision of support, including Italian language lessons, practical support and dedicated staff, give residents the ability fully to exploit their time at the BSR. The regular programme of events enables them to meet and interact with others in their own and other disciplines, both from the BSR and the unique cluster of foreign academies in Rome.

A programme of exhibitions gives all artists and architects the opportunity to show their work. A wide range of awards is open to fine artists at every career stage, from immediate graduate on. Artists who have been at the BSR recently include Richard Billingham, Adam Chodzko, William Cobbing, Melanie Counsell, Lucy Gunning, Chantal Joffe, Hayley Newman and Mark Wallinger.

Applications are invited for a number of residencies in the visual arts. They offer an en-suite studio and bedroom, meals taken together in our communal dining room, 24-hour access to our historic library collection, a research grant, and at least one group show; they are tenable for three, nine or twelve months.

The awards available for 2011–12 include:

    * Abbey Scholarship and Fellowships
    * Australia Council Residencies
    * The Derek Hill Foundation Scholarship
    * The Sainsbury Scholarship in Painting and Sculpture

Applications are accepted in January 2011.