PLATFORM is a programme of two long-term residencies for early career artists. Designed to provide artists with the freedom and security explore, PLATFORM has been re-developed to respond to the lack of long-term creative development opportunities available to artists in Scotland, fitting in flexibly alongside other commitments.
Artists will work with EAF for an equivalent of ~3 days per month for 18 months, presenting work as part of EAF27 (August 2027).
One of these residency spaces will be reserved for a BPOC artist, reflecting the underrepresentation of BPOC artists in solo exhibitions and shows in Scotland, as well as the ways race often intersects with class and gender marginalisation in the arts.
Alongside the EAF Programme team (Kim McAleese, Eleanor Taylor, and Elle Haswell), artists will be selected by Dr Maggie Matić. Matić is a curator, writer and researcher with a specialism in contemporary feminist, crip and queer visual culture. They are currently Director of Auto Italia, London, and have previously worked at Studio Voltaire, Somerset House Studios, Tate, FACT (Foundation for Art & Creative Technology) and The University of Liverpool.
Apply by 11 Jan 2026
WHO YOU ARE
PLATFORM is for artists who:
→ Have been living/working in Scotland for 2+ years
→ Have a creative practice of 4+ years
→ Make work in line with EAF’s values and curatorial interests — read more about past festivals
→ Work in any medium across the visual arts, including text- and performance-based work
→ Are early career (have not yet had a solo presentation within a publicly funded institution, or been represented by a commercial gallery)
→ Have already graduated — current students, including postgraduate students, are not eligible
We particularly encourage applications from BPOC artists, d/Deaf, Disabled, and Neurodivergent artists, female artists, trans + non-binary artists, queer artists, working class artists, and artists from rural areas.
ABOUT THE RESIDENCY
Each selected artist will:
→ Be in residence with EAF for 18 months (1.5 years), from April 2026 — Sept 2027
→ Commit the equivalent of ~3 days per month during this period, in a working pattern that works for them
→ Take part in an event or workshop during EAF26 to share developing work or research
→ Showcase new work in August 2027, as part of EAF27
→ Collaborate with Civic partners to co-produce community-focused events, such as workshops, BSL events, audio-described tours, sharings, or more
Each selected artist will receive:
→ A total of £10,000 in artist fees, with additional fees to cover production, access + travel
→ Mentorship from an external creative practitioner, with lived experience relevant to theirs
→ Ongoing support from the EAF team
→ A 1-month in-person residency at the Hugo Burge Foundation, in the Borders
HOW TO APPLY
Each application should include:
→ A completed Application Form with your personal details
→ An artist bio (150 words) and artist statement (150 words)
→ An up-to-date CV (max 1 page)
→ 6-8 images or short videos (max 5 mins) representing your work
→ A completed, anonymous Creative Scotland Equalities Monitoring Form (linked here)
→ (Optional) An access rider with information about your needs
PLATFORM Application Form Template
EAF Past Festival Programmes
Access Rider Template
Creative Scotland Equalities Monitoring Form (your answers to this are confidential)
The application timeline is:
→ 13 Nov 2025: Applications Open
→ 11 Jan 2026: Application Deadline
→ 19 Jan 2026: Interview for Shortlisted Applicants
→ March 2026: PLATFORM Artists Announcement
→ August 2026: Event or workshop for EAF26
→ August 2027: PLATFORM Exhibition for EAF27
Please send your applications, as well as any questions, to [email protected]