Although the future of Summerhall is as a residential development, the charity established to retain the arts focus at the former Dick Vet on the edge of the Meadows has a ten year lease. This security, coupled with multi year funding, has enabled Summerhall Arts to announce its plans for the year ahead.
Summerhall Arts is committed to delivering a year-round programme of world class arts of all genres. In the last year alone the charity achieved 30 awards at the Fringe, and sold more than 70,000 tickets despite having a programme reduced by a quarter from the previous year.
This meant artists sold more tickets and took home more of the takings from the box office.
Summerhall Arts has co-produced new work and supported 32 artists and companies with funding through the Summerhall Arts Surgeries. Many of those artists have been able to progress their shows from early development to fully-realised runs. There will be more surgeries in March 2026.
The second annual Summerhall Arts Studios which is another kind of mentoring event, will take place in 2026 with £3,000 for artists and five days of technical support and a dedicated space to work. Summerhall Arts Spaces and Arts Chats offer real financial support and practical help to performers.
In an innovative collaboration Summerhall Arts benefitted from a long-term commitment with drinks brand Lonkero, adding a donation of 25p per pint for their artistic development programme.
The charity also held 18 visual arts exhibitions presenting the work of 470 artists during last year, and Summerhall Arts Boutique opened supporting makers and designers with an onsite shop to sell their goods.
Sam Gough, Chief Executive of Summerhall Arts, said: “What an incredible first nine months of activity Summerhall Arts have had since our launch, the sheer amount of support and mentoring that we have been able to provide to artistic practitioners is astonishing. A small and incredibly dedicated team have not only set up our organisation from scratch and delivered a vast amount of vital opportunities, but also a hugely international fringe programme that saw a significant increase in the share of box office that the artists received. Year two, with increased funding, will bring even more support, through a programme that has been peer advised and informed by artists and will not only bring more paid opportunities but new work showcases and surgeries for more sectors of the arts. Until then thank you to the team, thank you to all our supporters and thank you to the artists without whom none of this is possible.”
