Wysing Arts Centre
Fox Road, Bourn, Cambridge, CB23 2TX
For over 30 years Wysing Arts Centre has been championing creativity from its idyllic setting in the village of Bourn. The founders – a group of artists and philanthropists – wanted to create a space in which artists could explore their creativity away from the pressures of everyday life; an ethos which has remained over the decades.
Set within 11 acres of land, Wysing is home to 20 subsidised art studios, which are available to local artists. At the helm is director Rosie Cooper, who has been in post for a year and is committed to further growing Wysing’s reputation as a place where artists can work and think freely.
Wysing invites artists from around the world to take up its unique residency programme. Unlike traditional residencies where the emphasis is often on production, Wysing’s offering focuses on free-thinking and taking time away from everyday life to let ideas develop. Previous residents have gone on to win the distinguished Turner Prize and the Paul Hamlyn Award.
As well as providing a space for artists, Wysing is committed to giving all audiences a chance to be creative and welcomes members of the public, youth groups and schools to visit. The team works with young people both on site and in schools and public places. It has recently formed its Youth Council which meets monthly at the centre to engage in creative activity, as well as launching Club Urania, a queer night at the Cambridge Junction where LGBTQ+ performers can try out new material.
On site, there is a new ceramics studio which is open to public membership and regular adult art classes to discover. If you’re a fan of the great outdoors it’s also the perfect place to enjoy an inspiring walk through the fields and woodland while taking in the outdoor artworks.