LONG-RUNNING Edinburgh arts magazine, The Skinny, has been rescued after a takeover deal for its publisher was agreed.
Outer Spaces, an operator of studio and exhibition spaces across Scotland, has promised to inject £250,000 of investment to secure the future of Radge Media, which also publishes the Fest and Gnaw magazines.
The rescue marks a remarkable turnaround for the publisher, which announced it would go into liquidation just 19 days before the deal.
Both Radge Media and Outer Spaces insisted that no creditors will be left out of pocket in the takeover, with all outstanding bills expected to be paid to writers and editors by the end of October.
A joint announcement said the cash injection will allow The Skinny to continue to “support Scotland’s art ecosystem”, while Radge Media will retain “full editorial control” over its publications.
Furthermore, there are no plans to reduce staffing levels, with 13 staff members on its books.
Rosamund West, Editor-in-Chief at Radge Media, said: “The Skinny has worked for nearly 21 years to shine a light on Scottish arts and culture, support emerging talent and connect people to the creative lives of their cities.
“The last month has been incredibly challenging, but the outpouring of support from contributors and collaborators reaffirmed the importance of a space for local, independent, cultural journalism.
“We’re excited to become part of the Outer Spaces family, and to have this opportunity to continue our work within an organisation whose values align so closely with our own.
“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone for their support and to Outer Spaces for creating this opportunity to secure our future.”
The Skinny was founded in 2005, and has staked its place as one of the leading arts forums in Scotland.
The freesheet distributed almost 350,000 copies annually across public spaces in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee, and was widely read in student circles.
Outer Spaces, which operates across Scotland, is keen to invest heavily in Radge Media, but both companies hope to secure additional funding from the Scottish Government.
According to The Herald, they have urged the Scottish Government to create a new fund to support independent media outlets, based on a model being rolled out by the UK Government in England and Wales.
This comes after it was revealed Radge Media received more than £200,000 from Creative Scotland over a 14-year period (between 2011 and 2025), alongside almost £165,000 in Covid recovery funding, to support the publisher and back specific arts projects.
When their closure was announced on September 10, West said that the publisher had been “unable to find a way forward” after a potential piece of funding fell through.
Outer Spaces, which was founded in 2021 and supports a network of 1200 artists across Scotland, appears to have closed that gap.
Shân Edwards, Director of Outer Spaces, said: “Outer Spaces supports a sustainable, resilient arts ecosystem for Scotland by responding to needs in the arts community, and we recognise the vital importance of art criticism and writing that places focus on Scotland’s vibrant art scene.”
Edwards added: “Alongside many peers in the arts community in Scotland and beyond, we were shocked by the news of The Skinny’s closure.
“We recognise the importance of strong, consistent and critical journalism as part of the arts infrastructure we operate within – which The Skinny has provided for the past 20 years – and were pleased to be in the position to intervene with a solution to allow continued operations for The Skinny as well as Radge Media CIC’s other titles, Gnaw and Fest.”
Outer Spaces supports artists through studio provision, professional development, production support and a growing public programme.
Radge Media already operates out of an Outer Spaces building on Exchange Place in Fountainbridge, and will continue to be based in the building, which also houses a studio community of over 155 creatives.
Scottish Greens culture spokesperson, Dr Q Manivannan, who lodged a parliamentary motion calling for a government intervention to save the magazine, welcomed the news.
They said: “The Skinny is a vital part of our independent media and has played a crucial role in championing and encouraging the artists, venues, events and creative communities that make Scotland’s culture what it is.
“But while we should celebrate its survival, we should also recognise the cost that has been paid.
“The Skinny is, ultimately, its people. The uncertainty surrounding its future has deeply affected its team, with some moving on, and that is a real loss for the magazine.
“The new team will have a big task in safeguarding the future of the publication, regaining momentum and continuing to do what it does best.
“Independent cultural journalism matters. It gives artists a platform, connects audiences with the culture around them, and helps our creative communities thrive. The Skinny’s near-closure is a symptom of the culture sector’s precarity.
“Scotland needs a thriving, independent cultural press, and we must do everything we can to ensure The Skinny has the chance not just to survive, but to flourish.”
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