Image: Femme Castratrice; recipient of the 2024-2025 Award
2025 - 2026 BUZZCUT EMERGINg ARTISt AWARD
In partnership with Take Me Somewhere, Centre for Contemporary Arts & London Performance Studios
Are you an artist / performance maker based in Scotland and in the first three years of your professional practice? Are you hungry to make bold performance work?
The BUZZCUT Emerging Artist Award is a year-long opportunity for two Scotland-based performance makers at the start of their journey, providing funding, residency space & mentorship, for you to make the work you want to make.
This is about you, your work, and what’s possible when you’re given the time, trust and tools to shape it.
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“I've come to truly understand how important it is to have a space to experiment with new ideas, forms and ways of performing in an extremely supportive and nurturing space... I've been so well supported to develop and make this show from beginning to end, from help with the funding application, to advice on appropriate mentors, to actually pulling the show together. I feel not only incredibly lucky to have had this opportunity but also that BUZZCUT exists for artists to continue their work into the future.” Femme Castratrice; recipient of 2024-2025 BUZZCUT Emerging Artist Award
“The BUZZCUT Emerging Artist Award accelerated my career by providing the skills & knowledge to lay a solid foundation to self-direct my career in the future. They provided a perfect opportunity through tailored sincere support, experienced insight, considered guidance and thorough, pragmatic development. I would not be in this position today without BUZZCUT’s mentorship.” Hamshya Rajkumar recipient of 2020 BUZZCUT Emerging Artist Award
Interview with previous recipients
The BUZZCUT Emerging Artist Award is for an artist of any age (18+) with under 3 years professional experience, based in Scotland and working in Live Art and/or contemporary performance.
The award provides funding, advice and mentorship to support artists in creating a live performance for a professional setting. It also helps them connect with audiences and build relationships with a national network of Live Art presenters and supporters.
This year we’re delighted to offer two awards running from August 2025 - May 2026, one in partnership with the Centre for Contemporary Arts and Take Me Somewhere and one in partnership with London Performance Studios.
The awards are intended for emerging artists — people who may have undertaken a few projects or performances but have not yet received Creative Scotland funding for their project, and are now interested in leading their first funded development process.
The Award provides:
£2,000 bursary to support your time and energy
Tailored mentorship across the year – we shape it around you
Residency time at London Performance Studios (London) or Centre for Contemporary Arts / Studio Somewhere (Glasgow)
A performance slot at BUZZCUT Festival 2026
Fundraising support
Through discussion with the successful applicant we will support them to find suitable partners, additional funding and, if appropriate, help you create a strategic plan for the future life of the project you develop with us.
Eligibility
Applicants must be currently based in Scotland
Applicants must have been working professionally in Live Art or contemporary performance for under 3 years* (we interpret ‘working professionally’ as getting paid for your artistic / performance work outside of an education institution).
The opportunity is open to artist duos and collectives.
This opportunity is not open to those currently undertaking an Undergraduate or Masters Degree focused on their artistic practise. Students graduating in Summer 2025 are welcome to apply.
If the applicant lives outside of Glasgow, we will be able to support travel and accommodation to perform in Glasgow.
To get a better idea of the work we support take a look at our previous Festival and Double Thrills programmes. If you’re still unsure whether your work is within our remit - feel free to get in touch before the application deadline at buzzcutconnect@gmail.com.
What We’re Looking For
A panel made up of BUZZCUT, CCA, Take Me Somewhere and London Performance Studios will select artists based on:
Uniqueness of practise
Commitment to working in Live Art or experimental/contemporary performance
Practise potential
Benefit of the award
Representation and Breadth of Experience
The award will culminate with a performance at BUZZCUT Festival 2026; so we recommend checking out that call out so you understand the context.
apply (Written Applications)
We accept applications in written, audio & video form. To submit a written application:
Click here to see the application form, It will tell you the questions you need to answer.
APPLY (VIDEO & AUDIO)
Click here to see the Video / Audio application form. It will tell you the questions you need to answer.
Upload your video or audio submission to YouTube, Google Drive, Soundcloud or Vimeo & include the link in the Google Form above.
Deadline for applications: 4th of July 2025 at 23:59 (pm)
If you have any questions please email buzzcutconnect@gmail.com.
The Emerging Artist Award is made possible with funding from Creative Scotland, Take Me Somewhere and London Performance Studios with residency space and support provided by the Centre for Contemporary Arts.
