Apply to join FORT

Thank you for showing an interest in joining FORT. Please make sure you've read and understand/agree to the FORT code of conduct before completing your application. It also might be helpful to read Working at FORT and how it works to figure out what kind of artist agreement best suits your needs. Decisions are made collectively at FORT, so all current residents will be consulted before we approve applications for any new artists. You can also find our Accessibility and client information here.

Already applied? Sign in to book more guest slots. No need to apply again.

About you

Your name

This should be the name we can call you, the human person applying. It doesn't need to match any ID or documents.

Pronouns

Practitioner details

Artist / business name

This can be your name, or a name for your business/practice. Some people use their Instagram handle here.

Legal/licence name Hide this

This MUST match the spelling of your name on any legal licence or practitioner training documentation. (This won't be visible publicly or to your clients.)

Your bio

Please describe yourself, your work and/or your practice.

User name

You'll use this to log into FORT tools. We'll suggest one based on your artist name.

Email address

You will receive an email with your password to log into FORT.

Phone number

Instagram

Any other links? optional

Website/portfolio etc if you have one

Practice

What city and studio do you currently work from?

Home studios and private studios are also valid.

What position are you applying for? Resident
Casual
Guest

Don't know what these mean? Please read this.

How many days would you like to work per week? 1
2
3
4

Please let us know your preference on days

Please note: the studio is closed for tattooing on Mondays to allow for team meetings, socials, deep cleans, flash days, training, workshops, screen printing, trades, admin time etc.

When would you ideally like to start as a resident or book a guest spot?

A rough idea is fine.

Safety and accessibility

We're looking for other artists who share our desire to work in a radically inclusive environment and a more ethical industry.

We do not advertise ourselves as a "safe space" because safety looks different to everyone. Instead, we are clear about how we put our values into action so that people can decide for themselves if that makes the space safe for them, and we invite constant feedback so we can be held accountable and learn effectively.

We are currently consulting with practitioners in the fields of therapy, tattooing, clinical massage and social justice to develop an introductory course to trauma-informed tattooing. We are still in the process of developing this course, but once it is ready, successful completion of it will be mandatory to work from FORT. We will send you more information about this as soon as the first sessions are ready to book. It's likely to include some prep reading, a short online discussion and a quiz, and will probably cost around £15.

What draws you to FORT as a trauma-informed space?

We'd love to know why FORT's trauma-informed and consent-led approach is important for your practice.

Do you have any accessibility needs that you'd like us to know about? (physical or non-physical) optional

Would you like to work from the private studio? I'd rather work in the main studio
I'd rather work in the private studio
I'd like a mix
I don't mind

We have one station which is in a private 1 to 1 room. This is particularly suitable for anyone who likes a less stimulating environment or anyone whose practice benefits from a more private setting. We will always let you know which beds are available, but it's good to know what your preference is.

Please upload any licensing documentation and hygiene/infection control training.

If you haven't already done training in hygiene and infection control, you'll need to complete this course or something similar before you're able to work with us.

Representation

We would like to prioritise space for applicants who are more likely to find other studios unsafe or physically, sensorially or financially inaccessible. We acknowledge that the tattoo industry can be a toxic place for many people and we are passionate about doing everything we can to challenge and change that. The following questions are not mandatory, but if you do choose to answer them, they will help us allocate spaces at FORT to those who need them most. Transfemme, BIPOC, Working Class and Disabled folks will always be prioritised.

How would you like to describe your identity to us? optional

This isn't for our website or Instagram. If you want to describe your identity in the bio that we use to promote you, please add it to the bio section on the first page of this form.

Would you like to share anything that studios/shops could do to improve your experience or the experiences of clients/artists who share aspects of your identity? optional

Do you have any questions, or is there anything else you would like us to know? optional

Thank you for applying to work with us

Please bear in mind that over the course of June and July 2023 we will be focusing heavily on getting the studio decorated and ready to work from, so there may be some delays in communication, and we will prioritise responding to artists who wish to start work sooner.