This is the kind of working holiday that anyone involved in the creative arts yearns for… Brisons Veor is a live/work studio for professional artists run by a registered charity . The aim is to allow people to spend a focused period of time – from a week to one month – developing their work away from their ordinary everyday routine. It is open to visual artists, writers, musicians, composers, makers and designers and is available all year.

The rent is low – especially if you share the space – and the cottage has room for up to four people (or six for group work). It is on Cornwall’s western edge, about seven miles from Penzance and 20 minutes by foot from St Just where the nearest shops are.

Residencies for weeks begining 31 December 2016 to 10 June 2017 and again from 16 September to 23 December 2017 cost £260 for up to two people (including domestic electricity ) plus £115 per additional person per week (pro rata).

Residencies for the high season weeks from 17 June to 9 September 2017 are £375 for up to two people (including domestic electricity usage) plus £115 per additional person per week (pro rata).

Here’s a selection of quotes from the visitor’s book:

‘…as a teacher, it has been a sheer pleasure to pour all my creative energy into my work and it has made me realise that this balance needs to shift somehow when I return.’ (photographer)

‘a glorious place for music…practising, composing. I’d brought my other instruments…found the piano….it’s been played a lot.’
(musician)

‘It is very moving to realise that what we do, art, is valued enough to provide such a protected haven for our process… this is the most wonderful place.’
(mixed media)

I haven’t been to Brisons Veor, but I have stayed near by on a writers’ week when I was studying for a Masters in Creative and Life Writing so I can promise a heart-in-your-mouth landscape. I also know first hand how getting away from it all can heal  your inner artist and help you make the kind of art you want to make.

It’s too late to apply for a residency for the first half of 2017, but you have until New Year’s Eve to apply for the second half . You can find all the information you need HERE