We are recruiting for artists to work across the rural communities of Findhorn and Burghead as part of our Small Halls Artist Residency Programme (SHARP).
SHARP places artists in rural communities to work collaboratively with local residents, using village halls as spaces for creative engagement, exchange, and shared making. Each residency offers an opportunity to collaborate with local people, explore the ideas and stories that matter to them, and create new work that reflects the unique heritage, culture, and everyday life of the community.
Residencies will culminate in a community sharing and celebration, showcasing the collaboratively developed creative response as part of the Findhorn Bay Festival 2026. This is an opportunity to collaborate with local communities, create site-specific work, and share your practice as part of the 6th Findhorn Bay Festival.
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.
Who Can Apply
We are looking for artists with a third-level qualification and/or at least five years’ professional experience in participatory arts or socially engaged practice.
Applications are welcome from artists with diverse creative practices and a deep understanding of how the arts can positively impact the community.
We encourage applications from suitably experienced candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity as well as anyone whose experience and perspective can bring something new to rural communities in Findhorn and Burghead.
Artists are expected to live locally and / or be able to commute regularly from home or studio to their assigned village hall.
Delivery of residency between April – October 2026 | 30 days, 7.5 hours per day / 225 hours / flexible working for a fee of £170 per day / Total Fee £5,100.
Application Deadline: Friday 6th March 2026, 5pm.
This programme is funded by Creative Scotland.
