THE HUGO BURGE FOUNDATION
Creative grants of up to £15,000 for community organisations and schools, and grants of up to £5,000 for individuals for activities that promote creativity through Creative Education, Creative Communities and Creative Individuals.
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o Application deadline: SATURDAY 31st MAY 2025. Details of a second and final application window for 2025 is provided towards the end of the main text below.
o Funder: The Hugo Burge Foundation (founded 2019. Registered Charity Number (SCIO) SC048981. Total charitable expenditure for the year ended 31 December 2023: £349,000 (2022: £116,922)).
o Who can apply: UK charities, community groups, schools and other educational institutions, individuals (although please note that the current funding round is only open to artists aged 18 and over who live in Scotland).
o Key words: Arts, Traditional Crafts, Local, Regional and National Fairs and Festivals, Creative Learning, Community Events, United Kingdom.
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Hugo Burge (1972-2023) was a British entrepreneur, philanthropist and art lover who spent the last ten years of his life turning his home in the Scottish Borders into a haven for makers and creators.
Hugo hosted events and concerts, built workshops and studios, established artists’ and writers’ residencies, supported local community groups, and became an important local patron of the arts. In just a few short years, Hugo transformed the cultural life of the Scottish Borders. The Hugo Burge Foundation has been founded to continue what Hugo started.
The Foundation is dedicated to supporting the arts, crafts and creative industries across the United Kingdom. The Foundation aims to work with schools, charities and other educational institutions to increase young people’s access to creative learning, and support apprenticeships in traditional crafts.
Grants are available to individual artists and makers, community events and local and national festivals. The Foundation also provides free and affordable studios and workspaces in the Scottish Borders. It also offers funded and self-funded residencies throughout the year.
The Foundation’s inaugural round of grant funding will support projects, people, and organisations that align with three key areas:
1. Creative Education – for UK arts and culture organisations, schools and individuals. Maximum grant available: £15,000.
2. Creative Communities – for UK arts and culture organisations, community groups, festivals and fairs. Maximum grant available: £15,000.
3. Creative Individuals aged 18 and over. Please note that the current funding round is only open to artists who primarily reside and practice within Scotland. Maximum grant available: £5,000.
The deadline for applications to Round 1 is Saturday 31st May 2025.
A second round will open on Monday 1st September with an application deadline of Tuesday 30th September 2025.
Further information, guidance, frequently asked questions and details about how to apply is available on the Foundation’s website.
Contact details for the Foundation are:
The Hugo Burge Foundation
Lower Powerhouse Studio
Marchmont Estate
Duns
Scottish Borders
TD10 6YL
Email: enquiries@