The Hugo Burge Foundation is delighted to announce its inaugural Springboard Studio programme, designed to help young artists and craftspeople kickstart their creative careers.
We are offering free studios to emerging makers to be used for a period of 12 months. To be eligible, we ask that you are under 30 years of age at the time of application and have completed three years of post-study practice or equivalent experience.
All three studios are warm, spacious and characterful, located in historic buildings set in the beautiful landscape of the Scottish Borders.
The studios themselves are offered free for the duration of the tenancy but do not include accommodation. The HBF can offer affordable accommodation for up to two tenants, if willing to share, at nearby Fogo Cottage.
Springboard tenants will join the larger creative community at the Hugo Burge Foundation, which includes potters, silversmiths, chair-makers, sculptors and artists visiting on our monthly residencies. They 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.
The position also comes with a grant of up to £1,000 to support the purchase of tools and materials.
Timeline:
Please submit the application below by January 6th, 2025.
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in January 2025.
Successful applicants will be notified in early February 2025.
Successful candidates will be able to take up their tenancy any time between 1 April and 1 July 2025.
Our springboard tenancies last 12 months, with a possibility of extending by a further year subject to availability.
Residency Dates: Thu March 6th to Thu April 3rd, 2025
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.
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.
While not required, we are particularly interested in artists working with paper or who incorporate basket weaving in their practice.
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: December 6th
Panel: December 13th
Decision: Week of 16th
Residency Dates: March 6th to April 3rd, 2025
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.
Application Timeline:
Deadline: December 6th
Panel: Week of December 16th
Decision: By December 20th
Residency Dates: April 9th to May 2nd, 2025
This is a residency for a writer at any stage of their career who is writing a new piece of work for theatre.
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.
In addition, this residency is part of a partnership with DunsPlayFest who have kindly offered to work with the successful resident to stage a scratch reading or rehearsed reading as part of PlayFest 2025.
DunsPlayFest was established in 2019 as a nine day-long celebration of brand-new theatre and dramatic writing, all staged in the historic Borders town of Duns.
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 to Apply: January 9th
Panel: Week of January 20th
Decision: By January 24th
Residency Dates: Wed May 7th to Wed June 4th, 2025
This is a residency for any writer of both fiction and nonfiction who considers themselves to be at an early-stage in their career.
The successful applicant will receive private studio space, on-site accommodation in one of our Hobbit Pods, and a weekly stipend of £350.
The writer will be based in our Tower Studio, an atmospheric space that spans two floors and overlooks the Cheviots.
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: February 7th
Panel: Week of February 17th
Decision: By February 21st
Residency Dates: Wed June 11th to Wed 9th July, 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.
Application Timeline:
Deadline: March 7th, 2025
Panel: Week of March 17th
Decision: By March 21st
Residency Dates: Wed June 11th to Wed 9th July, 2025
This is a residency aimed at botanical artists at any stage in their career who like to work with and be inspired by our Walled Garden and the surrounding environment.
The successful resident will have the opportunity to work with our garden team, including Head Gardener Toby Loveday, and have extensive access to these spaces.
This residency is fully-funded and includes on-site accommodation, studio space, and a weekly stipend of £350.
While we welcome applications from professionally trained botanical illustrators, applicants do not need to practice scientific botanical illustration, and we are happy to accept applications from anyone who considers themselves a botanical artist.
There are no expectations about what you will use the residency for but we would hope the selected artist would 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.
Application Timeline:
Deadline: March 7th
Panel: Week of March 17th
Decision: By March 21st
Residency Dates: Mon July 14th to Mon August 11th, 2025
This residency is an opportunity for a ceramics student to become involved with the daily operations of a working pottery studio, offering an ideal environment for artistic and technical growth.
The successful applicant will join Heather and Nick at Redbraes Pottery, situated in the nearby village of Greenlaw.
The resident will have access to a wide range of materials and gain hands-on experience that will refine their skills in both traditional and contemporary pottery techniques, deepen their understanding of studio management, and provide insight on how one can make pottery a viable business.
The resident will also receive accommodation nearby on our main campus, access to a bicycle, and a weekly stipend of £350.
Please note, we are hoping for applications from second year pottery students or someone with equivalent experience who is comfortable settling into a working environment.
Application Timeline:
Deadline: April 11th
Panel: Week of April 21st
Decision: By April 30th
Residency Dates: Mon July 14th to Mon August 11th, 2025
This is a residency that is 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.
We are looking for applications from artists who focus on textiles and/or more specifically embroidery.
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: April 11th
Panel: Week of April 21st
Decision: By April 30th
Residency Dates: Thu August 14th to Thu September 11th, 2025
This is a residency that is aimed at creators who focus on art as a means of community engagement. We welcome applications from artists working in any field, discipline, or medium.
This residency will lead up to our Open Studios which are taking place September 6th and 7th where we welcome over 600 people to visit our campus. We would support the artist in creating an exhibition, project, performance, or any other means of engaging with the visitors during this event. In addition, we would work with the artist to create any other forms of public engagement they might desire during their time with us, including offering workshop space, aiding in outreach, arranging travel, 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.
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: May 9th
Panel: Week of May 19th
Decision: By May 23rd
Residency Dates: Thurs August 14th to Thurs September 11th, 2025
This is a residency aimed at a spoken word performer or a storyteller who is looking for a tranquil environment to develop their craft.
This is a fully funded residency that includes exclusive studio space in our Tower Studio, accommodation in one of our Hobbit Pods, and a weekly stipend of £350.
The residency will take place during a month when we host our Open Studios, a weekend event where we welcome over 600 visitors. The successful applicant will have the chance to perform their work during this weekend.
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.
Application Timeline:
Deadline: May 9th
Panel: Week of May 19th
Decision: By May 23rd
Residency Dates: Wed Sept 17th to Wed Oct 15th, 2025
This is a residency for an established author of fiction. 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.
Application Timeline:
Deadline: June 13th
Panel: Week of June 23rd
Decision: By June 27th
Residency Dates: Wed Sept 17th to Wed Oct 15th, 2025
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.
Application Timeline:
Deadline: June 13th
Panel: Week of June 23rd
Decision: By June 27th
Residency Dates: Wed Sept 17th to Wed Oct 15th, 2025
We are looking for a silversmith (minimum 3+ 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 are open to both experienced and emerging silversmiths. If the successful applicant is established (8+ years experience post graduation), they will be given the option to provide 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: June 13th
Panel: Week of June 23rd
Decision: By June 27th
Residency Dates: Mon Oct 20th to Wed Nov 19th, 2025
This is a residency aimed at artists who primarily focuses on sculpture. Sculptors 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.
Application Timeline:
Deadline: July 18th
Panel: Week of July 28th
Decision: By August 1st
Residency Dates: Mon Oct 20th to Wed Nov 19th, 2025
This is a residency aimed at artists who primarily focuses on digital art. Digital 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.
Application Timeline:
Deadline: July 18th
Panel: Week of July 28th
Decision: By August 1st