What we do

Creative Edinburgh unites creative thinkers across the city. Through events, career support and advocacy, we bring together and help grow the city’s creative community, providing a space for creation, collaboration and connection at every stage of your career.

In 2017 Creative Edinburgh became part of Creative Scotland’s Regularly Funded Organisations’ Portfolio and has since received annual grant funding to support its core service delivery.

Creative Edinburgh is a registered charity. Our main objective is to protect the welfare of the creative community through services for creative freelancers, sole traders and startups in order to allow them to develop and thrive, through:

The advancement of the arts and culture;

in particular, through activities including, but not limited to:

supporting creative careers, social capital and pipelines into the arts, culture and creative industries;
actively encouraging collaboration between all sectors of the arts, culture and creative industries across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Scotland and beyond;
raising the profile of the creative industries in the foregoing areas to other organisations and agencies;
providing information, support and networking opportunities for those working in the creative industries;
promoting and encouraging the use of innovation in the creative industries across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Scotland and beyond;
offering a platform for artists, practitioners and other creative professionals to showcase their work;
hosting public and industry facing events at which artists and creative practitioners speak, take part in debates, network and engage in discussions around the arts, culture and creative industries; and

The advancement of education;

in particular, through:

arranging and/or promoting educational events and knowledge sharing and skills development courses for those working in the creative industries;
offering mentoring services to those in the creative industries.

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Our community

Build your skills. Grow your community. Get inspired.

Creative Edinburgh is the city’s largest network of multi-disciplinary creatives. Our members span every creative sector, from art and design, illustration and animation, to publishing, marketing and creative tech. And so much more.

What are the benefits of joining as a Creative Edinburgh member?

Creative Edinburgh helps creative people connect and thrive. Our vision is to support local freelancers and help them develop more sustainable creative practices and businesses, and feel part of a strong community. Members span all creative sectors across the city of Edinburgh, developing, championing and influencing creative practice, as well as contributing to research and high-impact campaigns. Edinburgh members are changemakers. Join us, and let us support you, too, in building your network and achieving your goals, while you help us achieve ours! Scroll down to our Membership Packages to see the full list of benefits.
Who is Creative Edinburgh membership for?

Creative Edinburgh individual membership is open to anyone who identifies as a creative practitioner with a strong connection to Edinburgh. Among our 5,500+ members are individuals from across all the creative industries, from graphic designers and textile artists to software developers and arts educators, operating as freelancers, agency workers, sole traders, recent graduates and students.
We also offer business memberships to professionals and organisations working in the public, third and private sectors in – or with a strong professional connection to – the city of Edinburgh.
Your membership fee will be invested back into the creative community of Edinburgh through various initiatives, including mentorship bursaries and free tickets to events for those who need them most. It will also provide invaluable support for the small Creative Edinburgh team’s important advocacy work, research and ongoing nurturing of creative practice in the city.

Mentoring Scheme

Mentoring can be the missing link between where you are now, and where you want to be. If you’re looking for accountability for your progress on a particular project, business or creative idea while gaining some diverse industry insight, the Creative Edinburgh mentoring scheme could be for you!

Find out more about mentoring

Unique Events

We offer a variety of events, all of which provide the opportunity to connect, collaborate and get inspired.

From casual monthly meet-ups to lively evening parties, careers and skills workshops to expert panels, we have something for every creative in Edinburgh.

Our events are designed with the needs of the community at their heart - whether you're a freelancer, sole trader, student, working parent, business owner or anything in-between.

Hosted in-person and online, Creative Edinburgh events span the city’s creative industries, helping you stay connected, build skills and knowledge and get inspired.

See all our events

Donate and help Edinburgh's creative community thrive!