Residencies for artists, writers and curators form the core of Delfina Foundation’s work as it seeks to support and facilitate the professional development of cultural practitioners, from emerging to established art professionals. The foundation is London’s largest provider of international residencies, and it began working around seasonal thematic programmes in 2014, when it reopened following an expansion of its Edwardian townhouse premises in Victoria. These themes are explored through residencies and public programming, including exhibitions, talks, performances, screenings and commissions.

Since its physical expansion in 2014, the foundation is able to host 6 to 8 residents at a time in its premises in Catherine Place. Practitioners are selected for residencies that last up to three-months through solicited proposals or nominations, or through targeted open calls. Since the foundation’s shift to thematic programmes in 2014, this guides the open call and selection process and the foundation no longer has an overarching geographical remit that informs its residencies.