Residency 

Contact Darkroom Photography Residency is a resource-based programme offering artists and photographers 12 hours a day access to fully equipped colour and black-and-white darkrooms, a dedicated workshop room, and an open gallery. Designed for both emerging and established photographers, the residency supports the production of new or existing works in a creative, experimental, and community environment.

Based in the market town of Totnes, Devon, the residency sits within a landscape of the River Dart, running from the upper moorlands of Dartmoor to the Atlantic coast, offering a diverse and compelling environment for reflection and experimentation. Artists are encouraged to draw inspiration from the surrounding area, whether working on existing projects, testing out new ideas and processes, or developing work that responds directly to place. At the end of the residency, artists are invited but not expected to share their work in a small exhibition, talk or workshop. Optional programs, such as darkroom workshops, guided walks, excursions, and local gallery visits, can be arranged on request.


Description of Organisation:

CONTACT darkroom is a Not-for-Profit art centre and photographic darkroom in Totnes, Devon, UK, specialising in black & white and colour darkroom printing and experimentation. Housed in a repurposed abattoir, Contact has transformed an underutilised building into a do-it-yourself darkroom, workshop and gallery.

Born out of a desire to create the resources we felt were missing, Contact Darkroom supports knowledge-sharing and experimentation across the photographic and visual medium, challenging the idea that access to creative spaces and opportunities requires relocating from rural areas to big cities


Images in and around Contact Darkroom.

Residency 

Contact Darkroom Photography Residency is a resource-based programme offering artists 12 hr a day access to fully equipped colour and black-and-white darkrooms, a dedicated workshop room, and an open gallery. Designed for both emerging and established photographers, the residency supports the production of new works in a creative, experimental, and community environment.

Based in the market town of Totnes, Devon, the residency sits within a landscape of the River Dart, running from the upper moorlands of Dartmoor to the Atlantic coast, offering a diverse and compelling environment for reflection and experimentation. Artists are encouraged to draw inspiration from the surrounding area, whether working on existing projects, testing out new ideas and processes, or developing work that responds directly to place. At the end of the residency, artists are invited but not expected to share their work in a small exhibition, talk or workshop. Optional programs, such as darkroom workshops, guided walks, excursions, and local gallery visits, can be arranged on request.


Description of Organisation:

CONTACT darkroom is a Not-for-Profit art centre and photographic darkroom in Totnes, Devon, UK, specialising in black & white and colour darkroom printing and experimentation. Housed in a repurposed abattoir, Contact has transformed an underutilised building into a do-it-yourself darkroom, workshop and gallery.

Born out of a desire to create the resources we felt were missing, Contact Darkroom supports knowledge-sharing and experimentation across the photographic and visual medium, challenging the idea that access to creative spaces and opportunities requires relocating from rural areas to big cities.

Residency 

Contact Darkroom Photography Residency is a resource-based programme offering artists 12 hr a day access to fully equipped colour and black-and-white darkrooms, a dedicated workshop room, and an open gallery. Designed for both emerging and established photographers, the residency supports the production of new works in a creative, experimental, and community environment.

Based in the market town of Totnes, Devon, the residency sits within a landscape of the River Dart, running from the upper moorlands of Dartmoor to the Atlantic coast, offering a diverse and compelling environment for reflection and experimentation. Artists are encouraged to draw inspiration from the surrounding area, whether working on existing projects, testing out new ideas and processes, or developing work that responds directly to place. At the end of the residency, artists are invited but not expected to share their work in a small exhibition, talk or workshop. Optional programs, such as darkroom workshops, guided walks, excursions, and local gallery visits, can be arranged on request.


Description of Organisation:

CONTACT darkroom is a Not-for-Profit art centre and photographic darkroom in Totnes, Devon, UK, specialising in black & white and colour darkroom printing and experimentation. Housed in a repurposed abattoir, Contact has transformed an underutilised building into a do-it-yourself darkroom, workshop and gallery.

Born out of a desire to create the resources we felt were missing, Contact Darkroom supports knowledge-sharing and experimentation across the photographic and visual medium, challenging the idea that access to creative spaces and opportunities requires relocating from rural areas to big cities.

Specific Resources

20 inch RA4 colour processor, Three 5x4 B&W Enlargers, Two 5x4 Colour Enlargers, Large Sink, B&W Film Development, Workshop Room, Gallery Space, Workspace, Outside Suntrap. See Contact - Here

Dates 

Residency runs from May 1st 2026 - October 1st 2026

Duration 

Residencies are available for durations ranging from one week to one month.


Costs

Residency - £400 per week


Accommodation

We have a range of private room lodging accommodation situated within walking distance of the darkroom. These range in price between £35- £40 per night. Residents are more than welcome to find their own accommodation.


Travel 

Totnes sits on the main trainline and is accessible by all train services from London and Bristol. Push bikes are available which can be used during your stay.


Application Process 

All applicants are asked to complete the form below, outlining their intentions for the residency and their preferred dates. Once your application has been received, we will be in touch to arrange a video call.

We look forward to welcoming you to Contact Darkroom.

If you're interested in this please get in touch with the form below

hello@contactdarkroom.co.uk

4b Bridgetown, Totnes, TQ9 5AB

hello@contactdarkroom.co.uk

4b Bridgetown, Totnes, TQ9 5AB

hello@contactdarkroom.co.uk

4b Bridgetown, Totnes, TQ9 5AB