Creative Spaces
Out of the Blue provide studio space for over 200 artists in Edinburgh. We have over 600 people on our studio waiting list. Space is allocated utilising a policy which tries to offer appropriate space to artists and organisations from a range of disciplines.
Out of the Blue’s aim is to provide creative space faces challenging circumstances due to an Edinburgh property market with an extremely high level of commercial value. Our analysis of the current Edinburgh market is that we are returning to 1990’s levels of scarcity of space for participatory arts as most land and buildings are utilised for greater commercial reward (eg, housing, hotels, retail).
Please visit the Studios / Space Hire page for more information.
Update: January 2023
In 2017 Out of the Blue created Abbeymount Studios as a Centre for Making, Creating and Design in an ex-primary school built in 1874 at the crossroads of Easter Road and London Road. Ray Bird‘s stunning promo film illustrates the buildings proximity to some of the cities iconic landmarks which include Holyrood Palace, the Scottish Parliament and the Out of the Blue Drill Hall! Our vision to develop a creative and vibrant place of learning and community amenity for arts, crafts and enterprise will make significant progress in the months to come.
 The Out of the Blue Drill HallSince 2004 Out of the Blue’s headquarters has been the Out of the Blue Drill Hall, a building of considerable historical and cultural significance to the Leith community.Ideal studio space for a range of studio-based arts activities.Learn more >> |
 Meanwhile in LeithA community of artists and creative organisations. As well as bespoke, custom-built containers, the site also comprises space for community activity, including gardening, play, and occasional music events and markets.Until 2021, Out of the Blue are working with project partners alongside all of the people of Leith who want to get involved to transform the disused former Tram Depot site at 165A Leith Walk into an ever-evolving, community-run temporary space. |
 Abbeymount StudiosA multi-disciplinary facility promoting engagement and innovation in craft and design, as well as providing facilities, opportunities and development for professional designer-makers and the community.Ideal studio space for ceramics, woodworking, carpentry, metalworking and a range of industrial-based and studio-based arts activities. |
 Niddrie Mains StudiosOut of the Blue are working with the City of Edinburgh Council to create additional studio space to match the increasing demand.We have taken a year-on-year rolling lease on a building in Craigmillar, opposite the new library on Niddrie Mains Road. This building will accommodate around artists in 17 studios of varying size.The building is suitable for artists who wish to utilise the space for a studio, private workshop or storage. |
 Music StudiosLocated in Leith, housing the Mercury award winning musicians ‘Young Fathers’. |
The Bongo Club A hi-tech multi-functional performance space, available for hire day and night. The venue offers a range of potential hiring opportunities at surprisingly un-Edinburgh prices with student and ‘good causes’ discounts available. Whether you need a venue for a club, live music, fundraiser, AGM or conference – The Bongo Club offers you the main performance space with stage and an upstairs room, both with their own bars and sound systems. Capable of handling high-profile international artists through to up-and-coming local talent. The space works equally well for danceable bands like Zoot Woman and The Quantic Soul Orchestra, bigger outfits such as The Black Diamond Express and Delta Mainline or for solo acoustic artists like Gambian Kora player Bajaly Suso. |
