The Berwick Fellowship programme began in 1993 and is awarded annually to selected professional artists who have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to developing their practice. This period of reflective time is intended to give artists an opportunity to produce a new body of work in response to this extraordinary border location.
English Heritage has been working in partnership with Arts Council England since 1993 with the opening of the Gymnasium Art Gallery at Berwick Barracks, Berwick-upon-Tweed. The former 1930s army gymnasium was refurbished and transformed into a contemporary art gallery with funding from English Heritage, Northumberland County Council and Arts Council England. The newly refurbished gallery gained immediate recognition and was runner up in the National Art Collection Fund award for New Projects in 1994.
The Berwick Gymnasium Gallery Fellowships are a prestigious opportunity for professional artists who need time and space to develop their work. It enjoys a high status within the artistic community and provides a platform for professional development for visual artists some of whom have gone on to become Turner prize nominees.
An archival record of the Berwick Gymnasium Fellowship programme was published in 2007. Copies can be ordered from:
Berwick Gymnasium Gallery, Parade
Berwick upon Tweed, TD15 1DG
Telephone; 01289 304535
