A rare opportunity to partake in a residency that encourages a cross-discipline fusion of creative thinking.

The Porthleven Prize is two-part creative residency that encourages multidisciplinary collaboration, exploring ideas from various fields of enquiry and media. This immersive experience challenges our perceptions of origins, landscape, and community, inspiring innovative and creative responses.

The Porthleven Prize, sponsored by The Trevor Osborne Charitable Trust, is now in its thirteenth year.

How it works


Part 1: Site Study (Bath)

  • 20 successful applicants will be selected to participate in a three-day hands-on programme of activities in Bath. 
  • Activities are structured around discussions, collaborative and individual research sessions, guest-led presentations and workshops. The activities aim to take the participants beyond their normal fields of expression through explorations of site specific and socially engaged practices.
  • The three days will focus on the theme of the Prize, Provenance, and delivered in collaborations with an industry regional partner.

Part 2: Residential (Porthleven, Cornwall)

  • Eight of the successful applicants will then be selected for a fully-funded, 14-day residency in Porthleven, Cornwall.
  • Based in the Old Lifeboat Studio, students are encouraged to engage with the local environment and community during their time in the residency.
  • Working collaboratively to produce a single piece of work or create individual works, prize winners will demonstrate their engagement in site responsive practice.

The Prize will be integrated into the academic programme, enabling student involvement, where relevant, to be accredited toward their degree.


Three-day symposium: January 2026

The aim of the three-day symposium is for students to get to know both the place and each other, and to develop ideas about how they would use the full residency to advance their practice and develop work for the exhibition in collaboration with other Prize winners.

Presentations: February 2026

Two weeks after the three-day symposium, all students will be given the opportunity present their proposals to a panel of judges who will be looking for dynamic, confident students who are able to adapt their practices to accommodate other perspectives.

Students will give an in person five-minute presentation followed by ten minutes to respond to questions. The panel will select 8 prize-winners who will undertake the fully-funded residency and subsequent touring exhibition.

Second residency: March 2026

Successful students will then participate in a fourteen-day, fully-funded residency, based in Porthleven, Cornwall. Students will be encouraged to produce a body of collaborative work in any discipline. Students will also have the chance to participate in community engagement opportunities within Porthleven.

Exhibitions: August and October 2026

Successful students will develop responses to be showcased in both Porthleven and Bath. Studio space will be provided at the Locksbrook Campus from July-August.

Twi Porthleven Prize 2019 winners recording audio at the beach.
2019 Prize Winners

Theme: Provenance

Prize winners will be asked to respond to the theme "Provenance" – the place or source of origin. It offers a rich ground for creative exploration across various disciplines.

By responding to the theme, participants can explore the connection between past, present and the future, while investigating material, form and ideas and the way origins shape identity and experience.

Prefer to view a PDF? Download the ebook via Issuu.

Selection criteria

Enrolled students from all courses and year groups are welcome to apply.

This opportunity is open to students who wish to engage across disciplines, expand their perspectives, and pursue ideas through collaboration. 

Deadline for applications

The deadline for applications was midday on Monday 17 November 2025. If you have been selected, you will be notified by Thursday 4 December 2025.

Key dates

  • Information session for selected students: 11 December 2025
  • Part 1 – Three-day symposium: w/c 19 January 2026
  • Part 2 – Panel application presentations: 5–6 February 2026
  • Part 2 – Two-week residency: 28 February – 13 March 2026
  • Porthleven exhibition: 8–13 August 2026
  • Bath exhibition: October 2026

Alternative applications

We would be happy to receive your statement of interest in an alternative format, such as a video or audio. Using an alternative format will not impact your application and will be assessed in the same way as written applications.

Please see our guidance on making an alternative application.

Access support

We are committed to being open and accessible to everyone. We acknowledge that certain barriers may exist for some individuals and are committed to providing additional support as needed.

Below is a list of access support options available:

  • Offering the opportunity to answer your statement of interest in an alternative format.

Should you require further assistance or support beyond what is listed above, please do not hesitate to contact Simone Hesselberg (Coordinator) by emailing s.hesselberg@bathspa.ac.uk.

A group of students stand on the beach in Porthleven A group of people in winter clothing stand in front of Porthleven harbour Three people crouch on the sand to examine various materials A dance lunges low to the ground on the sand A group of people stand in front of a countryside backdrop Artists mill around their designated studio A group of people stand in front of a wooden gate in the countryside A person leans over a picnic bench to take a photo of their notes

The team

  • Academic Lead: Kellie Hindmarch
  • Coordinator: Simone Hesselberg

Get in touch

If you’d like to find out more about the Porthleven Prize, please email Simone Hesselberg via s.hesselberg@bathspa.ac.uk.