Come along to make and chat with some TOMA humans. If you're applying, you can also come to work on your application in a friendly space.

Come along to TOMA's drop-in evening, with a sculpture session led by Sue Gascoyne to weave abstract vessels using raffia and garden twine.

The Minories are hosting our session in the Front Room, a ground-floor space located right next to the main front entrance on the High Street. The venue is a 10 minute walk from Colchester Town station.

The Other MA (TOMA) is an artist-led learning programme rooted in Southend-on-Sea which supports artists* who face barriers to engaging with traditional art education and the 'art world'.

*We use the word ‘artist’ in the widest sense.

We are looking for a new cohort of up to 15 artists to join TOMA for a 15 month long programme, from Feb 2027 to April 2028.

Applications open from 7 Sept to 11 Oct. Full details here!

Whether you're thinking of applying or not, we invite you to come and hang out with us!

At each of the drop-ins, you can ask questions and speak to us about the programme, plus there will be past TOMA artists holding creative workshops which welcome all ages. If you are thinking of applying and body doubling helps you when it comes to admin, you can also come along to work on your application in a friendly space.

Weds 9 Sept: 6pm - 7pm on Zoom. With interdisciplinary artist and researcher Edi McGurk (TOMA class of 22/24)

Thurs 10 Sept: 5.30pm - 8.30pm at A House For Artists, Barking. With permaculture artist Graham Burnett (TOMA class of 22/24).

Weds 16 Sept: 5.30pm - 8.30pm at The Minories, Colchester. With socially engaged textile artist Sue Gascoyne (TOMA class of 24/25).

Sun 27 Sept: 12noon - 4pm at The Old Waterworks, Southend. With collage and sculpture artist Karen Christensen (TOMA class of 24/25).

"Not only did I do more work and was more serious about my practice, TOMA also helped me a lot mentally. Because being a hustling artist is quite isolating"

- Past TOMA artist

Description supplied by the event organiser.