Porthleven Prize

 News 

Porthleven Prize 2026 offers reimagined programme of multidisciplinary collaboration

Wednesday, 20 May, 2026

The Porthleven Prize – now in its 13th year – has become a BSU institution, and for 2026 it has had a refresh, with the addition of a new partner and a renewed focus on both the local Bath area as well as the Cornish coast. 

The Porthleven Prize is a two-part creative residency that encourages multidisciplinary collaboration, exploring ideas from various fields of enquiry and media. Open to BSU students from all courses and year groups, the Prize is aimed at those who wish to engage across disciplines, expand their perspectives, and pursue ideas through collaboration. 

Supported by the Trevor Osborne Charitable Trust and working with new partners From the Land, this year the Prize offered 18 applicants the opportunity to take part in a three-day programme in Bath, followed by a fully funded, 14-day residency in Porthleven, Cornwall for eight successful finalists. The programme culminates in two exhibitions – in Porthleven and Bath – of the work created by students inspired by their time in Cornwall. 

This year marks the first time that elements of the programme took place in and around Bath, making it more accessible and allowing participants to explore and be inspired by the local area while working closely with partner From the Land. It has also meant that BSU staff from across different schools of study and professional services could be involved, delivering various skills sessions and making it a truly interdisciplinary experience. 

Simone Hesselberg, Creative Producer at BSU’s School of Art, Film and Media and Porthleven Prize Coordinator, said the Prize offered a wonderful opportunity for students to think beyond their own specific disciplines and focus on process and collaboration. Explaining further, she said: 

“By encouraging risk-taking and collaboration across disciplines, the residencies have a lasting influence on students' creative direction – extending beyond the Prize into their broader studies. The Prize has also built meaningful ties with the local community of Porthleven, encouraging students to engage with established communities while forming connections of their own.” 

Third year BA Creative Writing student and Porthleven Prize finalist Leah Harwood said she saw the Prize as an opportunity to step outside her comfort zone and explore other ways of working. Explaining further, she said: 

“Being a writer can be quite isolating, and I really wanted to enjoy the collaborative experience of making art with other people. I also have a deep personal connection with that area of Cornwall, so it appealed to me on lots of different levels. The workshops and mentorship we received in Porthleven had a big impact on the way that I see myself as an artist. It brought together all the creative facets of how I work and made me realise that these aspects do not need to exist in isolation and I can integrate all the different experiences I have when I am working. It gave me the confidence to realise that I am not just a writer but an artist, too.” 

The collaborative aspects of the Prize also garner a sense of community among the participants. Reflecting on this, Leah said: 

“The most enjoyable part of the experience was spending time with fellow creatives and making our own little community. It was a joy to be in the company of such creative minds and there was literally never a dull moment. The landscape of Porthleven is also very unique and holds many stories that were great to tap into for creative inspiration.” 

Students’ work will be exhibited later this year in Porthleven in August before heading to Bath in October. 

 

Find out more about the Porthleven Prize.