Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop supports artists by providing subsidised studios, affordable workspaces and specialist facilities as well as training and professional development. The organisation commissions new work and creates other opportunities through a year-round programme of residencies.

Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop is open to anyone interested in learning about or making sculpture. The purpose-built spaces provide a unique environment focused on developing ideas and making work, for artists and others who can use the facilities and join ESW’s community of practice. The Learning Programme includes courses, tailored workshops and skills training as well as a series of artist-led partnership projects. A public programme of talks, exhibitions and tours provide other ways to get involved and meet artists. You can explore these in more depth online on our website.

Partners include the University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh College as well as many arts, community and education organisations including Multi Cultural Family Base and local schools.

In 2012, following almost 30 years of in a repurposed railway shed, the organisation opened a new building designed by Sutherland Hussey Harris Architects. The finished complex is an architecturally inspiring space, purpose-built to provide the best working environment for artists and to create a resource for the local community.

“The course leader was amazing at listening to our ideas and inspiring us. He always facilitated all our ideas readily and I loved the fact that they recommended reference materials – our discussions were wonderful.”

Course Participant, School of Sideways Sculpture

The first phase of development was largely funded by Creative Scotland, The City of Edinburgh Council and a great many charitable trusts and individual donors. The second phase of building development, the Creative Laboratories, was fully funded by a one-off award, the Arts Funding Prize for Edinburgh, administered by Foundation Scotland.

The buildings house studios, specialist workshops in metal, wood and mixed media, artist residency and production spaces and areas for exhibition. Indoor and outdoor spaces support a range of different sculptural activities and provide viewing areas to enable visitors to see work in progress. The café onsite is run by MILK and opens seven days a week.