Bursary launched in memory of photographer Harry Kerr

A bursary designed to help talented early-career photographers has been launched in memory of Harry Kerr. 

The bursary, established by Artlink, Donegal and Harry's wife Martha McCulloch, will give €5,000 to a photographer at an early stage in their career, to produce a new body of work. 

Harry Kerr (1960 - 2022) was born in the west of Scotland. He was educated at Glasgow School of Art, specialising in photography, in the first instance in the Design School (the only route to studying photography at that time). He gained an Honours Degree in Graphic Design & Photography.

But Harry’s interests were always in the area of photography as a fine art medium so it was a happy coincidence that, during his time in the Graphics Department, Thomas Joshua Cooper, an American photographer with a vision for an entirely new kind of photography course, arrived on the scene and became a significant mentor. 

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Shortly after graduating, Harry was selected as the first year-long artist-in-residence at Summerlee Heritage Trust, a large industrial museum in his home town of Coatbridge. He later became the design and interpretation officer at the museum. 

Subsequently, Harry became the first recipient of Scotland’s much-missed lens-based media prize the Richard Hough Bursary. This award was for a project called Sense and Science which premiered at Street Level, Glasgow and was exhibited in several venues in Scotland and England. 

From 1993 until 2000 he was a technical instructor in the Fine Art Photography Department at the prestigious Glasgow School of Art and an active Board Member of Street Level Photoworks. Harry moved to Donegal with Martha over twenty years ago with the intention of establishing a commercial photography business, while continuing to pursue their own personal art/photography projects. 

Harry’s influence extended beyond his own work; he shared his passion for creative expression and technical excellence throughout his life. He was always generous with his considerable photographic skills and knowledge, facilitating opportunities for students and artists and fostering a culture of collaboration and growth. 

The bursary offers financial and practical support to photographic artists who demonstrate exceptional talent and commitment to their craft. Harry was incredibly encouraging of aspiring photographers and this bursary will continue that by supporting the development and production of original, new photography into the future. 

This bursary has been made possible with generous donations to a GoFundMe campaign. The campaign is ongoing, as the intention is to establish this as an annual opportunity. For further details go to www.artlink.ie/residencies. 

Applications can be submitted by email to info@artlink.ie by July 1, 2024. Applicants must be based in the north-west of Ireland or the west of Scotland.