Learning & Engagement

Our Work

Edinburgh Art Festival Community Engagement runs a year-round programme of learning and engagement activities building long-term relationships with partner organisations, community groups and schools. Through tailored tours, workshops and projects we introduce and inspire people to get creative, removing barriers and broadening access to visual art and our festival programme.

Between 2019-2022, WHALE Arts and Edinburgh Art Festival worked collaboratively to support community engagement in contemporary visual art in Wester Hailes, working towards the Community Wellbeing Collective, a 2022 commission by Jeanne van Heeswijk, an artist recognised for her long-scale community-embedded projects across the world. The project has co-creation with the community at its heart, and through activities and dialogue with community organisations, residents of all ages and local schools, seeks to explore fundamental local issues.

Community Engagement Blog

Keep up to date with our learning and engagement programme and activities on our Community Engagement Blog, dedicated to showcasing the process and outcomes of our year-round work with communities, schools and young people in Edinburgh.

We are always looking to connect with new organisations and partners. If you would like to discuss opportunities to get involved with the programme, please email [email protected].

This work is supported by the PLACE Programme: Platforms for Creative Excellence; a partnership between Edinburgh Festivals, Scottish Government, City of Edinburgh Council and Creative Scotland.