Eastgate Theatre & Arts Centre: Artist Residency 2026
Deadline for applications: Sunday 16 November 2025 (11:59pm)

Eastgate Theatre & Arts Centre is the cultural hub of Peebles and the wider Tweeddale area, presenting a lively programme of theatre, dance, music, comedy, film, and community participation. Alongside welcoming professional artists from across Scotland and beyond, we are committed to supporting creative talent closer to home and opening up opportunities for artists to connect with local audiences.

As part of this commitment, we are launching a new Artist Residency in early 2026.

Theme: Transitions

For our first artist residency, we have chosen Transitions. Eastgate is in a period of change and renewal, reshaping how we work with artists, audiences, and our community. Transitions speaks to moments of movement and transformation – personal, social, or environmental – that mark points of growth, challenge, or discovery.

We invite artists to interpret the theme in their own way, using the residency to develop ideas, test approaches, and share process with the public (this is not necessarily about producing a finished work).

The selected artist will spend the equivalent of 20 days between January and March 2026 working with the Eastgate and our community, supported by our team. Public sharing might include:

  • a talk or Q&A

  • a display of notes, sketches or research materials

  • an open rehearsal or workshop session

  • a small-scale exhibition, screening, or performance

What we offer

  • Artist fee: £5,000 (equivalent to 20 days’ work).

  • Access to studio/theatre/gallery spaces (subject to availability).

  • Marketing support and light-touch technical support (by arrangement).

  • Please note: The £5,000 fee is inclusive of all costs (materials, travel, subsistence). There is no additional resources budget. Proposals must be achievable within this fee.

Selection

Applications are reviewed by Eastgate staff, a Trustee, and an external assessor. We assess:

  • quality of previous work

  • originality/clarity of proposal and response to Transitions

  • strength of ideas for public engagement

  • feasibility within Jan–Mar 2026 and the inclusive fee

How to apply

Email your application to fraser@eastgatearts.com by Sunday 16 November 2025 (11:59pm):

  1. Artist statement (max 500 words)

  2. Residency proposal (max 750 words) — ideas, approach, response to Transitions, public engagement

  3. Practical plan — your Jan–Mar 2026 availability and how you’d structure the 20 days

  4. CV (max 2 pages)

  5. Examples of previous work — up to 5 images/links

We welcome alternative formats (video/audio). If you have access needs, please get in touch to discuss how we can support your application.

Key dates

  • Call-out live: Monday 13 October 2025

  • Deadline: Sunday 16 November 2025 (11:59pm)

  • Shortlisting & interviews: w/c 24 November & 1 December 2025 (online; in-person possible)

  • Offer & contracting: by Friday 12 December 2025

  • Residency delivery: January–March 2026

  • Public sharing: late March 2026