Emerge Mentoring Programme

Emerge Bursary Programme 2025

An 8 month programme of mentoring and a bursary of £1,000 for early career artists or makers, working in any visual art or craft medium, who have a strong connection to Dumfries & Galloway.

 Two Emerge Bursaries are available in 2025 for emerging artists and makers*:

•  One for an emerging artist or maker aged 30 years and under (supported by The Holywood Trust and the Archie Sutter Watt Trust).

• One for an emerging artist and maker of ANY age (supported by Creative Scotland).

*Emerging / early career – a general definition:

Open to emerging artists or makers, 5 years (or less) out of University, Art School or College as well as those without a formal qualification who can evidence commitment to an emerging practice which is less than 5 years’ in its development. However, we realise everyone’s situation is different so if you have any queries please just contact us. There is also room on the application form to explain why you consider yourself an ‘emerging’ practitioner.

For 2025, Upland is offering two Emerge Bursaries for early career artists and makers originally from or with a strong connection to Dumfries and Galloway. Upland will offer a mentoring programme with an established practitioner in a related discipline, £1000 to fund the creation of new work and funded and automatic entry into Spring Fling 2025 (24^th-26^th May 2025). The programme is aimed at emerging practitioners who intend to pursue a career as a professional artist / maker. Emerge aims to provide support which will enable the participants to develop both creatively and professionally providing a stepping stone between education or employment and a career in the arts. This year we are offering one bursary for an artist/maker aged 30 and under and one for an artist/maker of any age, recognising that embarking on a creative career can happen at any age.

The deadline for applications to the 2025 Emerge Programme is midday Tuesday 1st October 2024.

For full details and how to apply download the information here: Emerge 2025 Guidelines pdf or Word doc.

PLEASE NOTE: The link to the application form is in the Emerge 2025 Guidelines document.