The Small Halls Artist Residency Programme (SHARP) places artists and creative practitioners in rural communities, working closely with residents through their village halls. Each residency is an opportunity to collaborate with local people, explore the ideas and stories that matter to them, and create work that reflects the unique heritage, culture, and everyday life of the community.
Residencies culminate in a community sharing, exhibition, or celebration, showcasing the creative response developed collaboratively between artist and community, as part of the Findhorn Bay Festival 2026.
We are supporting artists to take up residencies within the rural communities of Findhorn and Burghead, working in and around their village halls — spaces that will serve as hubs for creative activity, community engagement, and shared learning.
Working in partnership with local residents, artists will explore the ideas, issues, ecologies, and stories that matter to the community, reflecting the unique heritage and culture of the area. Artists will focus on invigorating these community spaces as places of gathering, connection, creativity, and learning.
Each residency will conclude with a community sharing and celebration, showcasing creative responses developed by the artist and/or community participants.
At the heart of the programme is conversation — artist-led dialogue with residents to understand what matters to them. We are seeking practitioners whose work aligns with community-engaged and socially engaged approaches, and who are curious, sensitive, and committed to creating meaningful connections with communities.
Meet Our New Small Halls Artists in Residence
We’re delighted to announce the successful recipients of our Small Halls Artist Residencies: Morna Ross and Graeme Roger.
Morna Ross – Findhorn Residency
Socially engaged artist Morna Ross, based in Nairn, will be joining the Findhorn community this summer as artist in residence at the JMI (James Milne Institute).
Inspired by true stories from across the north of Scotland, Morna’s work centres around people, place and lived experience. During her residency, she’ll spend time connecting with local residents, listening to stories, and becoming part of community life in Findhorn.
Graeme Roger Wildbird – Burghead Residency
Artist Graeme Roger, whose practice combines photography, film and projection, will be based at Burghead Community Hall over the next six months.
Working closely with the local community, Graeme will explore and celebrate Burghead’s people, history, identity and landscape through contemporary visual storytelling.
Get Involved
We’re excited to welcome both artists to Findhorn and Burghead and look forward to sharing updates as their residencies develop.
Keep an eye out for upcoming events, opportunities to participate, and ways to get involved with the projects on our social media channels.
Find out more about ‘Small Halls Artist Residency Programme’ (SHARP) by watching our videos.
