Wysing was established in 1989 and completed a £1.7million capital development project in 2008. The centre has ten buildings including studios, live-work space, specialist new media facilities, a large gallery, education facilities and a 17th century farmhouse used as accommodation for residencies and retreats.

Wysing is developing as a working campus, focussing on research and development and providing alternative environments and structures for artistic production, experimentation and learning.

In 2010 Wysing was invited to join Plus Tate; one of only two of the twenty organisations in the network whose work is focused on process and production rather than on the presentation of extant works. 

Alongside Plus Tate, Wysing has a number of dynamic partnerships in place with organisations including the Royal College of Art, the Royal Society for Arts Manufacture and Commerce, the British Council, the Contemporary Art Society, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge University and the Contemporary Visual Arts Network.

Residencies
Wysing offers international residencies that support artists to make ambitious new work and explore new ways of working.  Residencies are grouped into ‘environments’ the themes of which have emerged from ongoing artistic enquiry focusing on Wysing’s position at the geographic margins of two major cities, Cambridge and London, and its origins as a space for artistic experimentation and innovation.

In 2012, the themes were The Cosmos, The Mirror and The Forest, and during each residency period, local individuals and groups with knowledge or specialisms related to the themes are invited to give public talks and presentations in relation to those themes. These contributions, alongside the involvement of the audiences who attend them, open up new ideas and tangents for everyone involved. 

During 2011 Wysing presented The Institute of Beyond; a series of twelve artists’ residencies based within three research departments each lasting six weeks and culminating in a public presentation. The institute was an informal educational model, experimenting with methods of artistic research and production. Three departments were created within the institute focusing on wrong answers, psychedelic studies and overlooked histories. The form the institute took was actively defined by the work produced by participating artists, researchers and practitioners whilst on the residency.

In 2010 the residencies were grouped under The Year of The Improbable, and in 2009 the theme was Generosity.

Retreats
To support artists to develop strong networks and contacts, Wysing has a unique partnership with the Royal College of Art’s MA in Contemporary Curating to deliver a series of themed artistic retreats.

Wysing Arts Contemporary
Wysing launched a trading arm, Wysing Arts Contemporary in 2009. The initiative has profiled artists with a connection to the region and to Wysing within a curated programme of selling exhibitions and it curently supports new ways of collecting art collectively.

Studios
Artists occupying studios for up to five years, of which there are 24 artists at any one time, are offered individual professional development including career review meetings, support with seeking funding and access to networks.

Learning
We aim to work with artists at every stage in their careers and recently launched Wysing Young Artists, a talent development programme based on the principles of Escalator for young people wishing to pursue an artistic career and aged between 14-19 years.  Other programmes and events for families and schools and colleges link closely to Wysing’s residency and exhibition programmes.

We recommend checking that we are open before travelling any distance. Otherwise, please sign up to our e-bulletin to receive regular updates on our activities. Contact us if you require further details on access on 01954 718881.

Company information for Wysing Arts Charity:
Registered Office: 9 Great Chesterford Court, London Road, Great Chesterford, CB10 1PF. Company reg. no. 2942151. Charity no. 1039555. Vat reg. no. 816907119.

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