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Creative Residencies @ The Sheldon 

Cartoon of a dog wearing a beret and apron holding a paint palette and brush.

Our Creative Residency is for artists, writers, makers, thinkers and imaginative mischief-makers who want some time, space and community by the sea. 

The residency offers a rare chance to live and work alongside local and international collaborators, connect with the wider creative community in Eastbourne, and be inspired by the coastal atmosphere of Sussex — a region with a rich creative legacy.

Why Eastbourne?

Eastbourne neighbours several creative landmarks, including Charleston Firle, home of the Bloomsbury Group; the developing Black Robin Farm studios; The Towner Eastbourne; and a growing network of artists, galleries, theatres and independent creative spaces. Plus, when you need a blast of the big smoke (with its 250 museums and 850 galleries — 108 of which are free!) London is only 80 minutes away by train. 

Is this for you?

The Sheldon community is looking for generous, self-directed creatives who are curious, collaborative and willing to contribute to the life of the house — whether through their own practice, shared conversations, workshops, small events, or creative additions to The B&B itself.


Through this residency, we hope to support creatives making wonderful but also meaningful work — art that asks big questions, opens hearts, shifts perspectives, and helps shape a more humane and imaginative world at a time when the world needs it most.

A group of smiling women posing together behind decorated, painted panels.
Cartoon of a dog wearing sunglasses and a blazer while working on a laptop.

Residency Dates & Length of Stay

  • Residencies run November to March only, excluding January, and take place at The Sheldon B&B in Eastbourne.

  • Minimum stay: 2 weeks.

  • Maximum stay: 2 months.

  • Places are application-based and subject to availability.

Accommodation & What’s Included

  • Options for both private and shared accommodation are available

  • Each room has its own washroom facilities

  • Linens, including sheets and towels, are provided

  • Breakfast is included, along with one weekly community meal

  • All other meals are prepared independently by residents, or together on an informal basis

  • Residents will have access to the commercial kitchen, provided it is kept clean and ready for others to use

Fees, Billing & Funding

  • Residency fees are billed weekly

  • Residents are responsible for their own materials, travel, insurance, and personal expenses

  • We encourage residents who need support to explore external funding, including arts grants, university or alumni funds, cultural institutes, patrons, crowdfunding, disability arts funds, and discipline-specific bursaries

  • The Sheldon does not provide funding directly to residents

  • A limited sliding scale may be available to those facing economic hardship, including students, disabled creatives, and others with limited financial means

  • Please contact us directly to discuss sliding-scale options and explain your situation

A smiling woman painting a floral mural on a wall next to a mirror.
A group of people with face paint waving and posing for a mirror selfie.
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Community Contribution

  • Residents may be invited to contribute to the community through a workshop, talk, open studio, small event, or creative project

  • Any public-facing contribution must be agreed in advance with The Sheldon

  • We are especially interested in residents who share our commitment to kindness, respect, and community-minded living

Cartoon of a dog wearing an apron and holding a large bone.

Working Environment & Creative Space

  • This is not a silent retreat or luxury hotel stay; it is a creative, collaborative community atmosphere in a boutique B&B

  • Residents must be self-directed and able to work independently.

  • Larger visual art, painting, or sculpture studios are available nearby but offsite

  • The dining room is available during the day for smaller projects

  • Please be explicit about your creative space needs in your application

  • Creative work must not damage rooms, walls, furniture, or shared spaces unless it is part of an agreed project

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Shared House Expectations

  • The Sheldon is a working B&B with 20 guest rooms, so residents must be respectful of guests, staff, neighbours, and quiet hours

  • Facilities including lounges, creative/common areas, dining spaces, and the kitchen are shared

  • Pets, partners, children, or additional guests are welcome by prior agreement only

  • Smoking and vaping are not permitted inside the building.

Accessibility, Inclusion & Wellbeing

  • We operate an inclusive space that warmly welcomes people of all backgrounds, origins, identities, abilities, ages, faiths, cultures, and creative disciplines

  • Accessibility, dietary, or medical needs should be discussed before booking so we can confirm whether we can reasonably support you during your stay

  • Residents should be comfortable with dogs, as C.K is an integral part of the Sheldon household. He is friendly, medium-sized, and hypoallergenic

Interested?

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Blue Flowers

Weekly Pricing Menu

  • Residency fees are billed weekly and vary according to room type and financial circumstances.

  • Our standard rates are designed to cover accommodation, breakfast, one weekly community meal, utilities, shared facilities, and participation in the residency community

  • Excursions to local tourist sites are optional and priced separately. You will be informed about these once you have been accepted 

  • A limited sliding scale is available for those facing economic hardship, including students, disabled creatives, emerging artists, and others with limited financial access

  • We are grateful that those able to pay the supporter rate help make the residency more accessible to others

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Shared Room Residency

Access Rate: £275/week

Standard Rate: £350/week

Best for residents who are happy to share sleeping space and want the most affordable way to join the residency.

Includes:

  • Shared accommodation at The Sheldon

  • Private washroom facilities attached to the room

  • Linens, towels and basic toiletries. 

  • Buffet Breakfast each morning

  • One weekly community meal

  • Access to shared lounges, dining spaces and common areas

  • Daytime use of suitable shared creative spaces for smaller-scale work

  • Access to the commercial kitchen for other meals

  • Wi-Fi and utilities

  • Participation in the residency community programme

Private Room Residency

Access Rate: £425/week

Standard Rate: £525/week

Best for residents who need privacy, quiet time, or more personal space for rest and creative focus.

Includes:

  • Private room at The Sheldon

  • Private washroom facilities

  • Linens and towels

  • Breakfast each morning

  • One weekly community meal

  • Access to shared lounges, dining spaces and common areas

  • Daytime use of suitable shared creative spaces for smaller-scale work

  • Access to the commercial kitchen for other meals

  • Wi-Fi and utilities

  • Participation in the residency community programme

Discounts for longer stays

2 weeks - Full weekly rate 

3-4 weeks - 5% off total

5-8 weeks - 10% off total

Close-up of an artist sitting on a platform while painting decorative ceiling trim.
An artist standing on scaffolding to paint an intricate mural on a room's ceiling.

A Note on the Sliding Scale…

We are happy to discuss discounts for students, disabled creatives, emerging artists, low-income residents, or those facing genuine financial hardship. However, we have limited availability for this. Please fill out this additional application form before booking or aplying.

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