Emerging Poets in Residence

Creative Kernow Associates is delighted to support one of four national residency opportunities offered through the Emerging Poets in Residence Programme 2026, led by the Charles Causley Trust.

Based at Cyprus Well, the former home of celebrated Cornish poet Charles Causley in Launceston, each residency invites an emerging poet to spend a focused week developing new work, connecting with a partner organisation, and engaging with the local community.

The programme is supported by the Fenton Arts Trust and forms part of the wider Causley Trust residency and mentoring scheme. There is potential for residents to share work at the Launceston Poetry Festival.

Residency Opportunity with Creative Kernow Associates

One of the four residency strands will be hosted in partnership with Creative Kernow Associates, supporting an emerging poet currently living in Cornwall.

The residency candidate will be required to:

• Produce a set of artistic responses for the Trust.
• Work with the residency partner and engage with the local community groups around the theme of the residency.
• Act as an ambassador for the Trust during and after their residency, with a responsibility to document their experience through blogs for the Causley Trust
• website and images of their creative process. This will be shared via the Trust’s social media channels and in any promotional materials.
• Actively share the residency via their personal networks and social media platforms.
• Present their work at the 2026 Launceston Festival (subject to the availability of adequate funding).

There is scope to accommodate the partners of residents at Cyprus Well, subject to discussion with the Trust. Please indicate if this is something you would like considered as part of your application.

For the CKA residency, you will use Charles Causley’s poetry and legacy as a prompt for your creative responses, with mentoring support provided by Creative Kernow Associates. You can see the list of available mentors here.

You will also receive a free 6-month CKA membership, which gives you access to other opportunities, events and resources.

Residency period:
One week between 2nd February and 27th March 2026.
Residents who live locally may use Cyprus Well on a daily (non-residential) basis if preferred.

Fee / stipend:
£750 total, with accommodation and utilities included.
The fee will be paid in two installments (£375 before the residency and £375 upon completion of all residency activity)

How to Apply

Please send your completed application to info@causleytrust.org by 31st December 2025.

Interviews: Online, w/c 12th January 2026.

Your application must include:

• CV including your artistic, publication or performance history, and any community-based work
• Samples of your work (attached via email)
• Two referees with names and contact details
• A statement of interest outlining:
  • The residency strand you are applying for
  • Why you are interested in this residency
  • How the residency will support your creative development
  • Why this is the right moment for a residency in your career
  • What you will bring to the Trust and its communities
  • Your experience working in community settings

You can find out more here.