Information about Pentlands Open Studios:
Pentlands Open Studios is run by volunteers, with a mission to connect local artists/makers with the local community and to attract the broader public into the area through an annual open studio art trail.
They planned for the first open studios trail to take place over the weekend of 30/31 August 2025 and hoped to repeat the open studios trail each year.
As well as the open studios art trail weekend Pentlands Open Studios also planned to hold related local events such as artist talking about their work and workshops where the public can learn from the artists/makers.
Information about the project:
Pentlands Open Studios applied for funding to help with the community interest set up costs and the establishing of an online presence. In addition they requested funding for the purchase of banners, flyers and posters to advertise and provide signage for their open studios trail.
Feedback:
The inaugural Pentlands Open Studio (POSt) Art Trail took place on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 August 2025, offering a chance to explore the vibrant creativity of 18 professional artists. These artists were located across 10 studio locations along the upper valley of the Water of Leith near Edinburgh.
The organisation was blown away by the response, with visitors giving the Art Trail an average rating of 4.45 stars. They estimate that 550 people visited the Art Trail across the weekend; studios saw an average of 170 people each day, of whom roughly 60% were local, meaning about 220 new faces were welcomed into the area. Local businesses foresaw the boost, with some even opening on Sunday for the extra footfall. Around 40% of visitors bought something from an artist, including cards, prints, or larger pieces. These purchases help the artists continue to create.
On average, visitors managed to reach six studios, although many completed all ten. Pentlands Open Studios learned a lot from the experience, with one of the key takeaways being to make studios easier to find, with clearer maps and better signage.
Application Tranche: 2025-A