Cuckoo Farm Studios

Cuckoo Farm Studios is a community of artists' studios set in a cluster of disused agricultural buildings on the northern edge of Colchester. It was established in 1992, when the tenant farmer, Colchester Arts Forum and Colchester Borough Council instigated the conversion of several redundant farm buildings into low-cost studios for artists and craftspeople. A small group of artists moved in and gradually turned the derelict farm into a professional working environment; it has since grown to house around 30 studio holders, each with their own practice, alongside some 20 associate and honorary associate artists — members without a studio. At its heart is the Benham Gallery, a large and flexible exhibition space, which hosts a regular programme of shows featuring Cuckoo Farm's member artists, as well as residencies, talks and workshops. The studios also run a Graduate Award Scheme in partnership with Colchester Art Society, supporting an emerging artist each year.