Summerhall’s New Residency Supports Artists with Jobs and Families

The new ‘In Vitro Residency,’ in partnership with the Hugo Burge Foundation, offers a stipend, studio, and exhibition to Edinburgh artists unable to access traditional programmes.

Summerhall Arts, in partnership with the Hugo Burge Foundation, has launched a new residency programme aimed squarely at dismantling the real-world barriers facing visual artists. Applications are now open for the In Vitro Residency, a 12-week, non-residential opportunity designed specifically for artists based within commuting distance of Edinburgh. The programme directly addresses the challenge of balancing a creative practice with “prohibitive schedules and commitments,” offering a stipend, 24/7 studio access, and exhibition support to those who cannot pause their lives for traditional, immersive residencies.

The new programme will offer three 12-week residencies per year, providing artists with the time, space, and professional support to develop their practice in a creative environment.

‘A Vital Resource’: What the Residency Provides

Recognising that financial and practical support are equally important, the In Vitro Residency is a comprehensive, paid opportunity. Each of the three selected artists will receive:

A £1,200 artist stipend.

24/7 access to a large private studio at the Summerhall site for 12 weeks.

A one-month solo exhibition in a Summerhall Arts gallery, including a public launch event.

A fully-funded public workshop or engagement activity, which includes a £200 materials budget. Crucially, the artist’s time for developing and delivering this workshop is paid for two days at Scottish Artists Union (SAU) recommended rates.

Comprehensive professional support, including mentoring, exhibition curation, installation assistance, and marketing.

This structure is designed to provide “meaningful support, informed by our peers, to meet what is actually required by the sector,” as stated in the announcement.

Addressing the ‘Rhythm of Real Life’

The core angle of the new residency is its responsive, non-residential nature. It was created to support artists who are often excluded from traditional programmes due to jobs, parenting, or other caregiving commitments.

“This opportunity offers a vital resource for practicing artists in Scotland,” said Samantha Chapman, Head of Visual Arts at Summerhall Arts. “It will directly benefit those who would otherwise find it difficult to participate in traditional residency programmes. We, at Summerhall Arts, are acutely aware that time, space and financial resources are limited and regularly prove barriers to creative practice.”

This philosophy is shared by their partner, The Hugo Burge Foundation, which has a focus on degrading barriers to creative practice.

“We’ve met so many artists who balance their practice with being a parent, teaching, or work commitments. We don’t want those things to be barriers,” said Lucy Brown, CEO of The Hugo Burge Foundation. “This residency is about making space for creativity in the rhythm of real life, particularly for artists from working-class backgrounds and artists with children.”

How to Apply: Eligibility and Deadlines

This opportunity is open to visual artists working in any medium who are based within commuting distance of Summerhall, Edinburgh. Applications are particularly encouraged from artists belonging to underrepresented or marginalised communities.