Fuelling Edinburgh’s artistic fire: how Edinburgh is meeting artist’s needs

The Purpose 

To strengthen the independent performing artists community by creating a network that enables the sharing of knowledge and support.  

The Challenge 

Support for independent artists is vital to cultural scenes worldwide, particularly in Edinburgh, with new talent being central to the life of the festivals and broader cultural ecology. Edinburgh is home to many experienced independent performing artists.  

However, a report commissioned in 2014 by Capital Theatres for the City of Edinburgh Council found that most of these artists faced real challenges. From a lack of access to funding, production and company management expertise, to finding affordable workspaces. They had little sense of how the City of Edinburgh Council might support them and lacked a sense of belonging to an obvious artistic community or network. Consequently, the report recommended a new model of support be established to help Edinburgh’s independent performing artists fulfil their potential. 

Key to EPAD’s success has been its clarity of purpose and focused objectives, which continue to be driven by the needs of the artists it serves.

The Solution  

Edinburgh Performing Arts Development (EPAD) is a council-funded project acting as a facilitator and connector, enabling Edinburgh’s independent performing artists to share knowledge, experience and facilities within the city’s existing cultural infrastructure. It aims to highlight Edinburgh’s independent performing arts sector to those working in the city’s cultural sector, including funders, while keeping management and administration costs low. The project operates across three programme areas: space, support and networking.  

The Impact  

In the summer of 2018, a searchable directory of artistic spaces for meetings, rehearsals and creative development across Edinburgh was launched. Its goal was to maximise the city’s spaces and venues for creative use throughout the year. Between September 2015 and March 2018, the project held 18 ‘surgery’ days, when artistic partners met with 130 Edinburgh-based performing artists and producers seeking support with their project or practice. Partners supported these individuals with 209 advisory meetings and 24 more extended ‘interventions’ of practical, hands-on support. The aim was to steer independent artists and producers towards better informed decisions and actions.  

The project also held six networking events over two years, bringing together members of Edinburgh’s performing arts sector. This was a unique opportunity for connecting and discussing on a scale not possible elsewhere in the city. EPAD aims to provide informal environments, where all of Edinburgh’s performing arts workers can come together, with the city as a common denominator. 

Key to EPAD’s success has been its clarity of purpose and focused objectives, which continue to be driven by the needs of the artists it serves. Artists themselves have commented on EPAD’s friendliness, openness and generosity. Feedback about the project is regularly sought from users and used to inform future programmes of networking events, training and facilitation. 

Source: World Cities Culture Report 2022

Images Courtesy © City of Edinburgh