Residency Dates: Wed April 15th to Wed May 13th 2026

We are delighted to announce a four-week fully funded residency at the Hugo Burge Foundation, open to current Academicians and artists associated with the Royal Scottish Academy.

The residency invites the selected artist to respond to Elizabeth Blackadder's Self Portrait with Cat. During their time at the Foundation, the artist will ‘live’ with this chosen work, displayed within their private studio space, and develop a creative response through their own practice. This is a chance to engage deeply with the history and legacy of the RSA while exploring new artistic directions in an inspiring environment.

The residency includes on-site accommodation, a dedicated studio, a weekly stipend of £350, and mentorship from art historian Dr James Fox. The Foundation is also offering to film the resident during their time, providing material that can be used for their own promotion.

We ask for the successful applicant to take part in a sharing of their work or facilitate a workshop with our community and local residents. 

Deadline to Apply: January 9th

Decision By: January 23rd

Residency Dates: Wed Jan 7th to Wed Feb 4th 2026

This is a residency for a UK-based writer of children or young adult literature. 

This is a fully funded residency that includes exclusive studio space, accommodation in one of our Hobbit Pods, and a weekly stipend of £350.

There are no expectations about what you will use the residency for but we would expect the selected artist to conduct at least one public event such as a creative workshop (for adult participants), a talk, demonstration, performance or educational activity. 

You will be able to spend time with other visual artists and makers on site, along with another visiting artist also on residency. Our Creative Director, Dr James Fox will provide mentorship during your stay. 

Deadline: November 2nd

Response By: November 14th

Residency Dates: Mon Feb 9th to Wed March 8th, 2026

We are looking for an established silversmith (minimum 8+ years experience/post graduation) to join us for a fully-funded silversmithing residency.

This residency includes access to the Marchmont Silversmith workshop with a private bench, accommodation onsite, and a weekly stipend of £350. 

We would also hope that the successful applicants would agree to up to four days of teaching with the current silversmith tenants. The teaching will be paid at our usual artist day rate of £279.

During their time with us, the visiting resident will also be joining the community of emerging silversmiths who are supported by The Marchmont Silversmithing workshop as well as other makers and creators on-site.

The Marchmont Silversmithing Workshop is a state-of-the-art silversmithing workshop on our Marchmont campus supported by a generous donation of tools, machinery and books by the late Master silversmith Graham Stewart. The workshop supports three early career silversmiths to launch their businesses over a two-year tenancy, with guidance from an experienced mentor. The workshop also provides shorter residencies for British and international silversmiths to develop new work and participate in cultural exchange.

Application Timeline: 

Deadline: November 23rd

Decision: By December 5th

Residency Dates: Thu 12th March to Wed 8th April 2026

This is a residency for a UK-based established author or non-fiction writer. We allow applicants to decide if they consider themselves established but suggest that the author has been published more than once. 

This is a fully funded residency that includes exclusive studio space, accomodation in one of our Hobbit Pods, and a weekly stipend of £350.

There are no expectations about what you will use the residency for but we would expect the selected artist to conduct at least one public event such as a creative workshop (for adult participants), a talk, demonstration, performance or educational activity. 

You will be able to spend time with other visual artists and makers on site, along with another visiting artist also on residency. Our Creative Director, Dr James Fox will provide mentorship during your stay. 

Deadline: Nov 30th

Decision By: Dec 12th
 

Residency Dates: Thu March 12th to Sun April 3rd 2026

This is a residency for a visual artist of any medium and is named in honour of Charlie Poulsen’s ‘Skyboat,’ a living sculpture that is located on-site at our Creative Spaces. ‘Skyboat’ comprises a boat supported by an oak frame under which living trees are growing. In time, the trees will grow to support the boat without the frame, leaving the boat to ‘float’ in the trees. The resident will have the opportunity to meet with Charlie and discuss his practice.

For this residency, we're particularly interested in seeing work from artists who are exploring 'abstraction.'

The successful applicant will receive private studio space, on-site accommodation in one of our Hobbit Pods, and a weekly stipend of £350. 

There are no expectations about what you will use the residency for but we would hope the selected artist will conduct at least one public event such as a creative workshop (for adult participants), a talk, demonstration, performance or educational activity.

You will be able to spend time with other visual artists and makers on site, along with another visiting artist also on residency. Charlie Poulsen and our Creative Director, Dr James Fox will provide mentorship during your stay. 

Application Timeline: 

Deadline: November 30th

Panel: December 12th

Residency Dates: Mon May 18th to June 14th 2026

This is a residency for a writer at any stage of their career who is writing a new piece of work for theatre. 

At HBF, the successful applicant will receive private use of the Tower Studio, on-site accommodation in one of our cosy Hobbit Pods, and a weekly stipend of £350. You will join our creative community of artists and makers, and our Creative Director, Dr James Fox, will provide mentorship during your stay.

At the conclusion of the residency on our campus, you will receive a development week with Summerhall Arts in Edinburgh. This week will be in one the performance spaces where the writing can begin to take shape. Summerhall Arts will provide a £1000 fee to support your week with them and allow the engagement of collaborators. They will also offer the opportunity for personal professional development through some mentorship from their experienced team. Summerhall Arts will the explore a future life for the project with a spot in one of their two ‘Surgery’ sharings and potentially a fringe festival run 2027 or programming during the autumn / spring programme in the space the work was developed in. This week at Summerhall Arts is anticipated to take place shortly after the residency, from Sunday June 14th to Sunday June 21st 2026. 

Deadline to Apply: January 18th

Decision By: January 30th

Residency Dates: The June 18th to Wed 15th July 2026

This fully-funded residency invites artists at any stage of their career, with a background or strong interest in botanical art, to immerse themselves in the unique setting of our Walled Garden and our historic MacKenzie and Moncur Glasshouses.

The residency offers the opportunity to explore the rich history of the Glasshouses, with work produced during this period leading towards an exhibition in Summer 2027. Residents will have extensive access to the gardens and glasshouses, working closely with our team, including Head Gardener Toby Loveday.

The residency includes on-site accommodation, dedicated studio space, and a weekly stipend of £350. It also includes the possible exhibition the following year.

While we welcome applications from professionally trained botanical illustrators, formal training is not a requirement. We are equally excited to hear from experimental artists working across a range of practices who are inspired by botanical subjects.

Residents will also have the chance to connect with our vibrant community of visual artists and makers, alongside another visiting artist in residence. Mentorship and guidance will be provided throughout by our Creative Director, Dr James Fox.

Deadline to Apply: February 15th

Decision By: February 27th

Residency Dates: Mon July 14th to Mon August 11th, 2026

This is a residency for textile artists, created in memory and honour of Lou Gardiner, a British artist and designer who produced unique pieces of contemporary embroidered art. "A passionate ambassador for the power of stitch and promoter of individual creative identity," Lou has been highly influential in shaping the Hugo Burge Foundation's mission of using creativity to transform the lives of individuals and communities.

This is a fully funded residency that includes exclusive studio space, accommodation in one of our Hobbit Pods, and a weekly stipend of £350.

There are no expectations about what you will use the residency for, but we hope the selected artist will conduct at least one public event such as a creative workshop (for adult participants), a talk, demonstration, performance or educational activity. 

You will be able to spend time with other artists and makers on site, along with another visiting artist also on residency. Our Creative Director, Dr James Fox will provide mentorship during your stay. 

Application Timeline: 

Deadline: March 8th

Decision By: March 20th

Residency Dates: Wed July 22nd to Wed August 19th, 2026

This is a residency aimed at artists who are primarily focused on painting. Artists of all backgrounds and experience levels are invited to apply to spend dedicated time creating, experimenting, and evolving their artistic practices in a tranquil and inspiring environment.

The successful applicant will be provided with studio space, on-site accommodation in one of our Hobbit Pods, and a weekly stipend of £350. 

There are no expectations about what you will use the residency for but we hope the selected artist will conduct at least one public event such as a creative workshop, a talk, demonstration, performance or educational activity. 

You will be able to spend time with other visual artists and makers on site, along with another visiting artist also on residency. Our Creative Director, Dr James Fox will provide mentorship during your stay.

Deadline: 8th March

Decision By: 20th March
 

Residency Dates: Mon August 24th to Sat 19th September 2026

For this fully-funded residency, we are pleased to be partnering with Anamot Press, an independent small press based in London that publishes poetry and prose on queer experiences across borders and other stories told with no shame. 

The residency is aimed at writers and poets exploring queerness, diasporic agency, translation, and intersections between poetry, translation, and material practices such as pottery, painting, etc. Writers could be working on an existing literary or cross-disciplinary project that they’re looking to further develop, or they could be looking for dedicated space to begin a new project.

The successful applicant will be provided with studio space, on-site accommodation in one of our Hobbit Pods, and a weekly stipend of £350. You will also receive editorial feedback from Tatevik, Publisher and Editor of Anamot Press, including 3 one-hour sessions, as well as the opportunity to join our creative community. 

We hope the selected artist will conduct at least one public event such as a creative workshop, a talk, demonstration, performance or educational

Deadline: May 3rd 

Decision By: May 16th

Residency Dates: Wed Sept 23rd to Wed Oct 21st 2025

This is a residency for an artist or creator of any medium who has an interest in looking to history, legend, and local culture as a source of creative inspiration and who would help us capture a tradition, place, or story that is significant to the Scottish Borders.

The Scottish Borders is a vibrant place with many celebrated stories and traditions, as well as many stories that are yet to be told. 

This residency is aimed at supporting a creative who finds inspiration in tradition, legend, history, or community stories who will help us capture a local tale through their artistic medium, be it illustration, sculpture, performance, textiles, etc. 

This is a fully funded residency that includes exclusive studio space, accommodation in one of our Hobbit Pods, and a weekly stipend of £350.

There are no expectations about what you will use the residency for, but we hope the selected artist will conduct at least one public event such as a creative workshop (for adult participants), a talk, demonstration, performance or educational activity. 

You will be able to spend time with other artists and makers on site, along with another visiting artist also on residency. Our Creative Director, Dr James Fox will provide mentorship during your stay. 

Deadline: June 1st

Decision By: June 13th

Residency Timeline: Monday Sept 21st to Sat Oct 17th 2026

This residency is for a local visual artist who is within commuting distance of the Hugo Burge Foundation who is not looking for accommodation but rather a free studio space, a stipend, and support from Charles Poulsen. 

This residency is named in honour of Charlie Poulsen’s ‘Skyboat,’ a living sculpture that is located on-site at our Creative Spaces. ‘Skyboat’ comprises a boat supported by an oak frame under which living trees are growing. In time, the trees will grow to support the boat without the frame, leaving the boat to ‘float’ in the trees. The resident will have the opportunity to meet with Charlie and discuss his practice.

There are no expectations about what you will use the residency for but we would hope the selected artist will conduct at least one public event such as a creative workshop (for adult participants), a talk, demonstration, performance or educational activity.

You will be able to spend time with other visual artists and makers on site, along with another visiting artist also on residency. Charlie Poulsen and our Creative Director, Dr James Fox will provide mentorship during your stay. 

Deadline: June 14th

Decision By: June 26th

Residency Dates: Mon Oct 26th to Sun Nov 22nd 2026

This is a residency aimed at artists who work across multiple disciplines and media, including painting/drawing, sculpture, sound, digital, film, performance, etc. We have no restrictions on the type of artists who apply as long as their practice expands beyond a single discipline's traditional boundaries.

The successful applicant will be provided with studio space, on-site accommodation in one of our Hobbit Pods, and a weekly stipend of £350. 

There are no expectations about what you will use the residency for but we hope the selected artist will conduct at least one public event such as a creative workshop, a talk, demonstration, performance or educational activity. 

You will be able to spend time with other visual artists and makers on site, along with another visiting artist also on residency. Our Creative Director, Dr James Fox will provide mentorship during your stay.

Deadline: June 29th

Decision By: July 11th

Residency Dates: Mon Oct 26th to Sun 22nd Nov 2026

The Scottish Borders has a rich history of textile making and trading. Because of this, we are happy to create this residency opportunity for a textile artist at any stage of their career who would enjoy a tranquil and immersive environment to focus on their craft. 

While we do not have a studio specifically designed or equipped for textiles, we will provide private studio space, on-site accommodation, and a weekly stipend of £350. 

There are no expectations about what you will use the residency for, but we hope the selected artist will conduct at least one public event such as a creative workshop (for adult participants), a talk, demonstration, performance or educational activity. 

You will be able to spend time with other artists and makers on site, along with another visiting artist also on residency. Our Creative Director, Dr James Fox will provide mentorship during your stay. 

Deadline:  29th June

Decision By: 10th July

The Hugo Burge Foundation is delighted to announce that we are accepting applications for an emerging silversmith to join the Marchmont Silversmithing Workshop. 

The successful applicant will be provided with a fully funded (free) workbench in the Marchmont Silversmithing Workshop for 12 months with the option to extend for a further 12 months with the agreement of HBF.  In addition, HBF can offer affordable accommodation on-site or nearby. 

The Marchmont Silversmithing Workshop houses a wide range of silversmithing equipment, including a large inventory of tools, machinery and books donated by the late Master silversmith Graham Stewart, which is all available for use by the Springboard tenants.  The workshop is provided with all heating and electricity included and is accessible 24/7.  From summer 2025 HBF will offer a silver loan scheme to all springboard tenants via an account with Argex. 

Masterclasses are provided and funded each year by HBF (min four sessions) with experienced silversmiths who visit and stay onsite.  Previous masterclasses have been provided by Abigail Brown, Rod Kelly, Brett Payne, Simone Ten Hompel, Gordon Hamme and Bryony Knox.

Springboard silversmiths will join the larger creative community at the Hugo Burge Foundation, which includes potters, illustrators, weavers, chair-makers, sculptors and artists visiting on our monthly residencies.   A regular Artists' Lunch is hosted each month, fully catered, as a way of encouraging community and collaboration between the artists, makers and staff team onsite.  Springboard tenants are expected to contribute to this community during their time here, participating in Open Studios and social events, and offering talks or workshops where appropriate. 

To apply, silversmiths must have at least three years of experience post-graduation of a degree programme or equivalent experience. Given the workshop facilities, the panel will prioritise silversmiths over makers who have jewellery as their main output.

Timeline:

Successful candidates will be able to take up their tenancy at a mutually convenient date between 1 January 2026 and 1st April 2026. 

Our springboard tenancies last 12 months, with a possibility of extending by a further year subject to availability.