Creative Kernow Associates works with partner organisations to create residency opportunities for creatives based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

These residencies take different forms – from time at an international artists’ residency, to working alongside university researchers or staying in the former home of one of Cornwall’s best-known poets – but each creates space for practitioners to step outside their usual routines, develop their work, encounter new ideas and make new connections.

Cove Park

Since 2025, we have partnered with Cove Park, an international artists’ residency on Scotland’s west coast, to offer a funded two-week residency for a Cornwall-based artist.

Cove Park is based on a 50-acre site overlooking Loch Long and hosts artists working across a wide range of disciplines. The CKA residency gives the selected practitioner private accommodation and studio space, alongside the opportunity to spend time within Cove Park’s wider community of artists and makers.

There is no set expectation for the residency outcome, other than a requirement to deliver a talk on their return to Cornwall, sharing insights and experiences from their time at Cove Park. This residency is fully funded, with £1,000 provided to support travel, living, and materials costs, plus an additional £150 fee for the post-residency talk.

Find out more about Melanie Stidolph, the recipient of the 2025 residency, here.

Find out more about Simon Bayliss, the recipient of the 2026 residency, here.

Upon his return, and coinciding with the opening of his exhibition It’s Just a Feeling at Auction House in Redruth, Simon held an in-conversation event with cultural and social historian Dr Peder Clark and filmmaker Senara Wilson. As part of this talk, he reflected on the Cove Park residency. You can hear a recording of the talk here:

Environment and Sustainability Institute

In 2026, we partnered with Arts and Culture at the University of Exeter and the Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI) at Penryn Campus to create a month-long residency connecting creative practice with environmental research.

The residency was for a new graduate and early-career artist based in Cornwall. The selected artist was given dedicated studio space at the ESI, alongside opportunities to meet researchers, attend seminars, visit laboratories and research sites, and explore the Institute’s work around environment and sustainability.

The first residency was offered through an open call, with Rachel Lambert selected as the inaugural ESI Artist-in-Residence.

Following the success of Rachel’s residency, the partnership was extended to create a second opportunity. Jess Pemberton, who had been shortlisted through the original selection process, was invited to undertake a second residency, working with Exeter Marine and researchers exploring ocean environments and marine ecology.

Read more about Rachel Lambert’s residency here.

Read more about Jess Pemberton’s residency here.

You can also hear Rachel speaking about her residency here:

Charles Causley Trust

In 2026, CKA partnered with the Charles Causley Trust as part of its Emerging Poets in Residence programme.

The programme offered emerging poets dedicated time to develop their writing at Cyprus Well, Charles Causley’s former home in Launceston, while engaging with Causley’s work, legacy and the local area.

CKA supported one of the residency places specifically for an emerging poet living in Cornwall. The residency included accommodation at Cyprus Well, a stipend, mentoring through Creative Kernow Associates and opportunities to share work through the wider Charles Causley Trust programme.

Read more about CKA’s selected poet, Olivia Mills, here.

Top image Melanie Stidolph