Workshops and Workspaces

Workshops and Workspaces

Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop offers a range of shared spaces, specially designed to accommodate contemporary sculptural practice and staffed by a technical team who are practising artists. Prices are set at an affordable level.

In May 2021 we are re-introducing pre-booked access for Studio and Project Space Holders to the Workshops and Workspaces.

In June 2021 we will re-introduce pre-booked access for Members who have already had workshop inductions.

Working at Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop

We have gone through a process of assessing each space and facility, allocating solo or 2-sharing use of the Workshops as this cuts down on the safety variables while we are still so conscious of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of this process we have identified the useful Workspaces around the building which complement the core Workshops and are suitable for other sorts of working. This includes several outside spaces. All of these will be available to book as we develop the booking system which you can access on the sections below.

In normal times, Workshop bookings can be made by Members who have had a general building induction, and been inducted into those spaces or machines by the Technicians.

Costs

To work here you pay a session fee, which gives access to all the shared workspaces. There are additional charges for some of the workshop machinery, for consumables and for workshop services such as training, forklift use and storage.  Details of charges and payments are included in the workshop information and booking process.

Inductions

When first coming to ESW as a Member you need to have a Building Induction. After this you are able to book and use all spaces in the Workspaces category. There are further inductions needed for specific Workshops (eg Metal, Wood, Plaster and Ceramics) which are carried out the Technicians. We can’t currently do inductions because of the pandemic restrictions but please do contact us if you would like to be inducted in the future. In June we will be able to do building inductions for new Members.

You can join to become a Member here.

Number of Bookings

So that access can be shared please do not book more than 2 sessions (half days) per week. We will monitor and adjust this over time.

If you are working on a big project or have an important deadline, please contact Technician, Stephen Murray, to arrange a time to meet to discuss your project in advance, so that we can plan ahead with you and devise a programme of work.

Personal Protective Equipment

Workshop users are asked to bring their own PPE including PPF3 Mask, Eye Protection, Ear Protection, Gloves and Boots. We have a very limited supply and will only hand out disinfected items at start of session if a user cannot supply their own. We will provide specialist items, Welding Hoods etc, with a specific disinfection protocol before and after session.

COVID-19 and Coming to ESW

Please read fuller information about our response to the COVID-19 pandemic and instructions about how to prepare for coming to ESW on our COVID-19 Re-introduction of Activities page including the Checklist Flow Chart which reflects government guidance. It’s essential that you read this before coming to the building.

Booking

Minimum booking time is a Session (a half day).

These times include set up and clean up. There are additional special cleaning routines in place at the start and end of each session due to COVID-19. All users are responsible for cleaning their workspace, including machine handles, before and after their session. The ESW Team are also doing additional cleaning.

Morning Session: 9:30am – 12.45pm
Afternoon Session: 1:30pm – 4.45pm

It’s important to arrive at the start time of your booking. Please come to the large carpark gates to the Covered Yard and the Technician on duty will help you to sign in and go to your designated Workshop or Workspace. The doors will then be closed and the Technician will be working elsewhere.

Technical Support

Please put as much information into the booking process as possible as this will help us prepare for your booking. Technicians will always be present if you have a booking in the Workshops but interactions should be kept to a minimum because of observing physical distancing guidance. That’s why working things out in advance is really important and this can happen on the phone as well as through the booking process. If you want to speak on the phone please include your contact information.

You will need to book time with a Technician if you need dedicated assistance. Support outside of these times can often be arranged in advance, and is organised directly with the Technicians (subject to availability and government guidelines). Once we are able to move into providing inductions to new users and one to one technical training we will have this type of session available to book online also.

Charges & Payment Terms

Payment is made online at the time of pre-booking. Additional payments on the day, eg for consumables, can be made at Reception.
Non-member rates are double the member rates.

Eligibility for Concession: Senior, Student, Graduates (graduated within the last 3 Years), Unemployed

All prices include VAT at the current rate.

Named User Equipment Charges per Session

The booking system enables you to prebook and prepay for machine use at the same time as you book your session. If you need to pay for any consumable items during your visit you will be instructed how to do so on the day. These pieces of equipment are called Named User Equipment because each person who uses those pieces of equipment must go through specific safety induction for each piece before booking or using them.

Other Services and Charges

Forklift – £5.00 per 15 minutes

Storage – £12.00 per month per pallet. (Limited availability. Only available to current Studio and Project Space holders)

Lockers – a range of sizes is available with prices ranging from £5 to £12 per month. Minimum initial hire is 3 months.

Training & Fabrication

We hope that we will be able to resume one to one training and other activity in the autumn.

Skills Training – £30.00 per hour

Consultancy – first hour is free, £30.00 per hour

Fabrication Costs– base rate of £30.00 per hour

All prices include VAT at the current rate.