The Hugo Burge Foundation is delighted to announce its Springboard Studio programme, designed to help emerging artists and craftspeople kickstart their creative careers.
We are pleased to offer a free studio to emerging artists in the Scottish Borders as part of our Springboard Studios programme to be used for a period of 12 months with the potential to extend for a further 12 months.
The studio is warm, spacious and characterful, located in historic buildings set in the beautiful landscape of the Scottish Borders.
The studio is offered free for the duration of the tenancy but does not include accommodation. For this reason, we are looking for a pracitioner local to the Scottish Borders or who has accommodation they can use nearby to our campus on Marchmont Estate.
Springboard tenants will join the larger creative community at the Hugo Burge Foundation, which includes potters, silversmiths, traditional furniture makers, sculptors and artists visiting on our monthly residencies. All residents 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.
Please note that this studio is upstairs and due to the historic nature of the building, accessible entry is not available. This opportunity does not include regular access to Redbraes Pottery, the Marchmont Silversmithing Workshop, or The Marchmont Workshop. These studio spaces are already occupied and any access would have to be arranged with the studio occupants who are part of our community or through their public access schemes.
Timeline:
Deadline to submit: May 24th
Interview Invitations: Week of May 25th
Decisions by End of June
Residency Dates: Wed Sept 23rd to Wed Oct 21st 2026
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