Sculptural Habitats Free Training Programme 2026

DAiSY/Surrey Hills Arts Sculptural Habitats Free Training Programme 2026

 

DAiSY (Disability Arts in Surrey) is inviting D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists from our DAiSY-Chain network to apply for a new Sculptural Habitats Training Programme, taking place across Surrey’s natural and heritage landscapes between February and April 2026.

This unique programme offers artists the opportunity to develop new sculptural work in nature and the public realm, working alongside experienced public-realm and environmental artist-facilitators, ecologists and heritage partners. It is designed especially for artists working in any medium who are interested in stepping outside their usual studio-based practice, experimenting with new materials, testing ideas at a smaller scale, and exploring how their work might exist in outdoor, public and heritage settings.

About the Training

Ten selected artists will take part in five site-based training sessions at accessible heritage and nature sites across Surrey, including woodland, chalk grassland and meadow landscapes.The programme introduces ways of thinking about working responsibly with natural materials, developing ideas suitable for public and heritage settings and how this type of work can lead towards future public art, habitat and environmental commissions

Each session will combine:

  • Ecological learning about local species, habitats and conservation priorities
  • Hands-on making using environmentally sustainable materials (such as willow, clay and wood)
  • Skills development in working within nature and the public realm, including thinking about durability, context, access and audience
  • Time for reflection, discussion and peer learning

Artists will be supported to create small-scale sculptural works that function as habitats for wildlife, such as birds, bats, insects and pollinators. These sessions act as a safe, supported space to experiment, helping artists build confidence to work outdoors and beyond their existing practice

Training sessions will take place between February and April 2026 and will usually run between the hours of 10am – 2pm (tbc):

 

  • Tuesday 24th February –  Nower Wood, Surrey Wildlife Trust, Mill Way, Leatherhead KT22 8QA
  • Thursday 5th March – 30 min online introduction for Watts Gallery Workshop
  • Thursday 12th March – Watts Gallery, Down Ln, Compton, Guildford GU3 1DQ
  • Beginning of April (date tbc) – West Horsley Place Epsom Rd, West Horsley, Leatherhead KT24 6AN
  • Thursday 16 April 2026 – Newlands Corner, Drove Rd, Newland’s Corner, Albury, Guildford GU4 8SE
  • End of April 2026 (date tbc) – Nower Wood, Surrey Wildlife Trust, Mill Way, Leatherhead KT22 8QA

What’s Included

  • Participation in five professionally led training days
  • Sessions delivered by experienced environmental and public realm artist-facilitators
  • Input from conservation and heritage partners including Surrey Hills Arts and Surrey Wildlife Trust
  • Expenses covered for transport to sites
  • BSL interpretation
  • Opportunities to build networks with other artists, heritage organisations and environmental partners
  • Ongoing development support through the DAiSY-Chain network, including future opportunities and commissions where appropriate

Who can apply?

This opportunity is open to:

  • D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists who have signed up to the DAISY-Chain network  (if you are not currently a member you can join for free HERE)
  • Artists based in Surrey or the surrounding regions
  • Artists working in any discipline (visual arts, sculpture, craft, socially engaged practice, etc.)
  • Artists interested in nature, sustainability, access, heritage, public space or working outdoors
  • We encourage all Artists to attend all 5 sessions of the course in order to get the most out of the training.

You do not need prior experience of environmental, habitat-based or public realm work. Curiosity, openness and a willingness to learn and experiment are what matter most.

Q&A Online Session

This Q&A session online will give you the opportunity to ask any questions regarding the programme and how to apply should you wish to attend. The session will be recorded and will have captions.

The session is on Thursday 15th January at 2pm

If you would like to join this session please use this link: https://meet.google.com/ybt-npyu-wsp

(Please be aware that DAiSY will be partially closed during January 2026, so responses may be slower than normal.)

 

How to Apply

To apply, please complete our short application form, telling us about your practice, your interest in the programme, and any access requirements. We welcome applications in different formats (written, audio or video). Please let us know if you require this document in other formats, such as audio, large print or Easy Read.

Deadline: Monday 26 January
Apply via our ONLINE FORM

You are also welcome to apply in any other format that feels appropriate for you, i.e. video or audio application or via email etc. If you have any questions, would like support with your application or need to submit your application in an alternative format please contact:
cara@daisy-arts.org

Accessibility

Access is central to this programme. We will work with each selected artist to understand and meet their access requirements. This may include transport, BSL interpreters, support workers, rest breaks, quiet spaces, or other adjustments.

All sites have been selected following access audits and recent accessibility improvements.