EMERGING POETS IN RESIDENCE PROGRAMME
SPRING 2026
IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE NATIONAL CENTRE FOR WRITING, CREATIVE KERNOW ASSOCIATES, GUILLEMOT PRESS, LITERACY PIRATES AND CORNWALL CLIMATE CARE
The Charles Causley Trust is excited to announce 4 residency opportunities at the former home of Cornish poet, Charles Causley, Cyprus Well, in Launceston, Cornwall. We are seeking 4 emerging poets whose hearts lie in community engagement and the power of poetry to change lives.
The programme is generously supported by the Fenton Arts Trust and is running in partnership with The National Centre for Writing. Each residency will align with 1 of 4 fabulous Cornish and national organisations – Creative Kernow Associates, Guillemot Press, Literacy Pirates and Cornwall Climate Care.
This one-week Spring residency forms part of our wider residency and mentoring programme and has the potential to connect the resident with the 2026 Launceston Poetry Festival (1-3 May 2026). The residencies provide accommodation in Cyprus Well, the space to work alongside the residency partner and a chance to share your work in the local community. Previous residents have included Jen Hadfield, Rowan Williams, Anthony Capildeo, Katrina Naomi, David Devanny, Rachel Piercey, Jim Causley, Alyson Hallett, Isabel Galleymore, Tommy Sissons and Cahal Dallat.
Residency Period:
One week to be taken between 2 February and 27 March 2026. There is flexibility to use Cyprus Well on a daily basis (not staying overnight) if the resident lives locally, or close to Launceston.
Fee/Stipend:
£750 in total with accommodation and utilities included. The fee will be paid in two instalments. The first invoice of £375 should be invoiced to the Trust prior to the residency, and the second of £375 should be invoiced to the Trust on completion of the residency and all work related to the residency.
Expectations:
The residency candidate will work with 1 residency partner, and you will:
- Creative Kernow Associates – use Charles Causley’s poetry and legacy as a prompt for your creative responses, with mentoring support provided by Creative Kernow. To apply for this residency, you must currently live in Cornwall.
- Guillemot Press – be supported by Guillemot Press’s editor, Dr Luke Thompson, in the development of a portfolio of work for publication.
- Literacy Pirates – connect with the national school’s literacy programme, working with the new Cornish project, engaging with local schools.
- Cornwall Climate Care – use their climate-themed film documentaries as a prompt for eco-poetry responses, connecting with the release of their latest film, Beyond Bricks.
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.
Applications:
Completed applications should be sent by email to info@causleytrust.org by 31 December 2025.
Interviews will be held online during the week of 12 January 2026.
Applications must include:
- A CV including your artistic/ publication/ performance history and any work in community settings
- Samples/ illustration of work. These should be sent via email
- Referees: the names and contact details of two referees who know of your work to date
- A statement of interest in the residency covering:
- Which residency you wish to apply for
- Your reasons for applying for this residency
- How the residency will develop your creativity
- Why a residency would benefit you at this stage in your career
- What you will bring to the Trust during this period and beyond
- Details of your experience working in community settings
We look forward to receiving your applications!
