An Tobar | An Fenten (The Well): Mull/Cornwall Artist Exchange

Overview

CAMP, Creative Kernow Associates (CKA), and An Tobar and Mull Theatre are inviting applications from artists based in Cornwall (including the Isles of Scilly) and on the Isle of Mull, Iona, and Ulva to take part in a new cross-regional artist exchange exploring creative practice in rural places.

This exchange will connect artists working in two geographically and culturally distinct, yet closely related, regions – both shaped by their landscapes, communities, seasonality, and relationship to tourism. The project offers space for artists to share ideas, develop new work, and build relationships across distance.

The Opportunity

The Mull-Cornwall Artist Exchange will run from late January 2026 through Autumn 2026. The programme will bring together 12 artists in total:

• 6 artists based on Mull
• 6 artists based in Cornwall (3 CKA members and 3 CAMP members)

While there is no requirement to physically travel between Cornwall and Scotland, participants will engage in regular online exchanges to explore themes including:

• Landscape, environment, and creative ecology
• Sustainability, livelihoods, and seasonality
• Rural resilience and the impact of tourism
• The connections between land and sea

Key Activity

• Introductory Session: A Pecha Kucha-style session in late February 2026 where artists share their work and context.
• Regular Meetings: Facilitated online meetings every 4-6 weeks to exchange ideas and update on progress.
• Networking: Access to informal discussion spaces (such as CAMP Mighty Network and WhatsApp) for peer feedback.
• Final Exhibition: Work created during the exchange will be showcased in a final group exhibition in Autumn 2026. Venues will include An Tobar (Mull) and a partner venue in Cornwall (TBC with Cornwall artist participants).

Who Can Apply

• Location: You must be based in Cornwall (including the Isles of Scilly) or the Isle of Mull.
• Membership: Cornwall-based applicants must be a member of either CAMP or CKA.
• Discipline: Open to artists working in any medium, including visual arts (2D/3D), film, photography, writing, performance, and music.
• Experience: There are no restrictions on experience level.

Fees & Support

This is an unpaid opportunity; however, the organisers are working to provide practical support for postage costs and shipping of work for the exhibition.

The criteria for selection

The panel from An Tobar, CKA and CAMP will use the following criteria for selection:

1. Contemporary and investigative practice: Evidence of an active, exploratory artistic practice that is well-suited to open-ended collaboration.
2. Relevance to current development: How participation in the project would meaningfully support or advance the artist’s creative development at this moment.
3. Contribution to group diversity: The extent to which the artist’s creative process and approach would expand the range of media, perspectives, or methods represented within the group.
4. Commitment to dialogue and engagement: Demonstrate a willingness to take part in sustained conversational exchange for the full duration of the project.