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Art for the Environment Residency Programme

A boat at the Balbina Hydroelectric Dam
A boat at the Balbina Hydroelectric Dam
Molly Macleod, Molly Macleod, 2022 MA Art & Science, Central Saint Martins, UAL | Photograph: Molly Macleod
2022 | Photograph: Molly Macleod

Challenging how we interact with the environment

AER Programme is currently paused.

The Art for the Environment Residency Programme (AER) provided UAL graduates with the opportunity to apply for a 2 to 4 week fully funded residency at one of our internationally renowned host institutions, to explore concerns that define the 21st century – biodiversity, environmental sustainability, social economy and human rights.

Founded in 2015, internationally acclaimed artist Professor Lucy Orta, UAL Chair of Art for the Environment – Centre for Sustainable Fashion, launched the programme in partnership with international residency programmes and UAL Post-Grad Community.

AER Programme - Currently paused

AER Residencies in 2024-2025 are being paused while we restructure the programme. We look forward to sharing future activities and you can stay involved by following the AER public programme exhibition and talks.

Explore

  • Photo of the Radić Pavilion at Hauser & Wirth in a field of purple flowers and grass
    Image courtesy of UAL, The Radić Pavilion, 2019 Hauser & Wirth, Somerset | Photograph: Jason Ingram, Hauser & Wirth

    Partnering institutions

    Explore our partnering institutions from all over the world, including Canada, Africa, Mexico and Brazil.

  • Image of amazon white plant urchin called a leaf hopper nymph
    Naomi Bailey-Cooper, 2019 PhD Fashion Textiles, London College of Fashion, UAL

    Previous residency reports  

    Extend your knowledge of AER by exploring Stories by previous UAL residents reporting back from their trip.

  • Bronwyn Seier - Flag in the environment
    Bronwyn Seier, 2018 MA Fashion Futures, London College of Fashion, UAL

    Successful applications  

    Take a look at previous winning applications that earned a place on the residency programme.

  • Wandering, 2009 | Photograph: Lucy Orta

    Centre for Sustainable Fashion  

    UAL research centre based at London College of Fashion, which set up the AER programme to provoke, challenge and question the fashion status quo.

AER Public Programme

  • Beth Robertson, 2023 MA Sound Arts, London College of Communication, UAL

    AER Conversations 2024  

    Art for the Environment Conversations 2024 offers a platform for generative encounters in which ideas and experiences are exchanged between exhibiting artists and former AER residents. All sessions are free and open to all.

  • flowers drawn on honey
    Lucy Jane MacAllister Dukes, 2022 MA Art and Science, Central Saint Martins, UAL

    AER Exhibition 2024  

    The exhibition Art for the Environment at Groundwork Gallery, Norfolk, takes place 16 March to 8 June 2024. The exhibition brings together some of the UAL Artists who were chosen for residencies at our partner art institutions across the globe.

  • Jungle Experiments in the Amazon
    LABVERDE 2017 | Photograph: Catherine Sarah Young and LABVERDE

    Previous AER Conversations (Online)

    In response to the pandemic and to keep AER conversation animated we launched an online event programme called Art for the Environment: Conversations (past event recordings available).

The AER Team

Professor Lucy Orta: AER Founder, UAL Chair of Art and the Environment, Centre for Sustainable Fashion

Camilla Palestra: AER Curator, Centre for Sustainable Fashion

Rachael Lakhan - UAL Post-Grad Community Manager

Contact us

General enquiries: pgcommunity@arts.ac.uk

Partnerships: c.palestra@fashion.arts.ac.uk

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Follow us: @ual_postgrad_community