Enriching the creative learning environment of the College, the Artist-in-Residence programme sees a series of professional artists living and working onsite, amongst Visual Arts students. They offer tutorial sessions with students as well as public presentations on the work produced during the residency and their wider practice.

Previous resident artists include the dancer and choreographer, Florence Peake, who spent three-weeks in the Edward James Studios as part of a series of residencies organised in collaboration with Cass Sculpture Foundation. West Dean College also partnered with the De La Warr Pavilion for the 2017 Caroline Achaintre residency project, during which she made a series of ceramics works for the exhibition 'Fantomas' at the DLWP. Yelena Popova, a Russian artist based in the UK, focused her residency on developing natural ceramic glazes using a variety of materials sourced from the West Dean Estate and local area. The 2018 programme was selected via an Open Call with selected resident including Gabriele Beveridge, Katie Schwab, and Ross Taylor.

During 2017, leading sculptor Eva Rothschild, undertook an open residency, collaborating with West Dean Visual Arts tutor and Master Weaver Phil Sanderson at the West Dean Tapestry Studio. This project was the result of the 2016 Tapestry Commission Open Call which has led to a new Rothschild work, handwoven at West Dean, the final design titled Thefallowfield is on show at Collect 2018.

Image: Work in progress by Florence Peake CASS Sculpture Foundation/West Dean College Artist-in-Residence 2017. From her body of work inspired by Igor Stravinsky's musical score The Rite of Spring. Supported by Arts Council England.