Studio Holder Benefits
Studio Holders have access to the workshops and research facilities, as well as 24 hour access to their custom built studios.
- Studio dimensions approx. 16m²
- Studio heat, light and power and included within the rental cost
- 24 hour access, 365 days a year
- Opportunities to book spaces for talks, presentations or events that may support Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop’s professional education or research programmes
- Free access to use shared workshops and workspaces – no Session charge, machine costs apply, with booking via the online booking system (subject to availability via the online booking system and around ESW’s programmed activities)
- Opportunities to apply for ESW’s Members Rep positions
- Use of ESW kilns at reduced rate (no daily charge, electrical units only), with booking via the Office
- Reduced rates for training, and free inductions (no Session fee, machine charge applies)
- Opportunities to meet with visiting selectors and curators
- Opportunity to participate in events such as Doors Open Day / Open Studios
Studio Selection and Management
We select artists at different stages in their careers to ensure a range of experience, skills and contacts within the Studio community.
Selection is by panel of staff, ESW Board Members and arts professionals.
In return for subsidised support, Studio Holders are asked to make an in-kind contribution to Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop. Ways in which this contribution can be made are described below and Studio Holders are trusted to fulfil this obligation on an annual basis.
It is a requirement that Studio holders must be Members of Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop throughout the term of their Licence.
Studios are not available to undergraduate students in full-time education.
Artists can apply to sub-let their studio, usually for a maximum of up to one year, for a range of professional and personal reasons. Sub-lets will be added as an Extension onto the end of the Licence, and Membership must be maintained throughout the sub-let and Licence term. Sub-lets are arranged through ESW, however cannot be guaranteed. Conditions apply.
Studio Pool
Artists whose applications are deemed acceptable by the selection panel but who cannot be allocated a studio immediately will have the opportunity to be added to the Studio Pool to be considered for the next available studios. When studios become available, selection committees will review the pool and attempt, where possible, to allocate from this list before going to open call.
Artists in the Studio Pool may be asked to update their application after one year. The selection panel will select from the pool, taking into consideration the existing balance of studio holders, which may mean that artists in the pool will not be awarded studios chronologically.
Eligibility
Only artists who have satisfied a rigorous selection procedure reflecting the quality of their work and its place within contemporary sculpture practice, as well as their need for a studio, are offered spaces.
Applicants must also be able to demonstrate their commitment to a significant level of usage during their tenure of a studio.
There is a focus on artists working within contemporary sculpture practice, but we accept applications from artists working in a range of media and different disciplines.
A limited number of studios may be available, from time to time, for applicants working within the Creative Industries (defined for our purposes as architecture, crafts, design, film, music, performing arts, publishing, and media). Any Creative Industry tenants should be able to demonstrate the benefit of their practice to Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop’s activity.
Criteria for Selection
Applicants should be able to demonstrate:
- A high quality of work
- Skills of a high standard
- Their work is located within contemporary sculpture practice
- An engagement with audiences and/or participants
- A clear vision for the development of their work
- Need for studio space that will be used on a regular basis and to its full potential
- A willingness to engage in peer or professional development and the exchange or transfer of knowledge
- How working at Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop will benefit their practice
- How they will actively contribute to Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop activities
Studio Holders’ Contribution
Part of being a Studio Holder at ESW is making a contribution to the operation and community here. This model has been developed to:
– Help ESW be sustainable economically and maintain high subsidy levels
– Foreground ways to make a difference individually as a stakeholder
– Keep a high level of conversation, interaction and engagement going
The Studio Holder’s contribution is to support the following types of activity each year. Examples below, but other suggestions welcome.
Contribute to a Community of Skills:
- Give a talk about your practice, as part of ESW’s programme
- Participate in ESW’s Member-led research programme
- Act as a mentor for students or involve students in your practice
- Assist the Technical Team with workshop management, e.g. rationalising of space, maintenance, group work days
- Skills share with other ESW-based artists – providing technical support or advice for members and users
- Teach on ESW’s Learning Programme (paid positions)
Contribute to ESW’s strategic development and profile-raising:
- Undertake ESW Members’ Representative role
- When relevant, credit ESW on exhibition or commission publicity material
- Input into focus groups and take part in group events at ESW
- Act as an ambassador for ESW when travelling/exhibiting abroad
- Initiate links with other national or international arts organisations
- Feedback to staff on ways to improve ESW facilities and activities
Contribution to the wider community outside of ESW
- Suggest new audiences for ESW to target
- Volunteer to assist with open days and public events at ESW (at least one event per year) OR agree to open your studio for visitors to ESW and discuss your work informally (at least once a year)
- Propose ESW as the location for partnership project
- Suggest appropriate new sponsors, funders and partners
