Over 800 Ordinary Members, local residents aged 16 and over, have joined up so far alongside 70 youth members, and 70 Associates.
Our members are all community owners of the North Edinburgh Arts building. We are now having our first Members’ Social, and want to invite you to join us on Thursday 1 October, 6pm – 8pm!
Find out more and have your say on what’s next for the building over the next three years, enjoy a tasty bite to eat, and meet others in your community.
We’re excited about the upcoming cinema event on Thursday 8 October celebrating community football, with a particular focus on women’s football.
We’ll be screening The First Women, a beautiful documentary following the Brazilian national women’s team, a film full of inspiring characters, friendship, and community spirit.
The First Women uncovers the untold stories of the pioneering women who formed Brazil’s first national women’s soccer team. Although women were legally barred from playing soccer until 1979, these trailblazers broke barriers and represented Brazil internationally throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Yet, despite their achievements, they received little public recognition or reward.
Thursday 8 October
Doors open & food sharing from 5.30pm (soup & bread served)
We’d love to hear from you if you’d like to take part in a panel discussion, or if you have photos, memories, or memorabilia to share about women and girls’ football in North Edinburgh.Email alice.betts@northedinbrugharts.co.uk
This screening is part of The Spanish Film Club series, organised by IberoDocs in collaboration with Edinburgh Council and was made possible with the support of Pragda, SPAIN arts & culture, and the Secretary of State for Culture of Spain.
North Edinburgh event brings the refugee and migration sector together to explore how narrative can influence policy, public attitudes and belonging
Over 80 organisations, practitioners and community leaders from across Edinburgh and central Scotland came together at North Edinburgh Arts on Wednesday 16 September for EVOC’s 2026 ‘New Scots Gathering: Stories That Shape Change’ event.
The fully booked event explored how storytelling and narrative can influence systems and decision-making, challenge harmful narratives about migration, strengthen public understanding and support New Scots to shape the policies and services that affect their lives.
The morning plenary considered how stories can be used as a tool to influence policy and decision maker on the issues that matter to the lives of New Scots.
This was followed by four workshops giving practical case studies from across Scotland and the opportunity for participants to learn and share together.
The afternoon was led by creative voices, exploring how the sector can tell stories that are impactful and that shape public attitudes.
The Gathering was opened by Simita Kumar MSP, Minister for Equalities and International Development; Councillor Jane Meagher, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council; and John Hawryluk, EVOC’s Service Lead.
Minister for Equalities and International Development Simita Kumar MSP said “Public services, third sector organisations and community groups play a really important role in Scotland’s warm welcome and ongoing work to support refugees and people seeking asylum.
“I am grateful for all their efforts and contributions – here in Edinburgh and further afield. This has been a hugely valuable event, underlining the importance of collaboration to the success of the New Scots approach in continuing to support refugees, people seeking asylum and communities across Scotland now and in the future.”
Councillor Jane Meagher, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council said “I’m proud that Edinburgh remains a diverse and welcoming city. We are, after all, a city of migrants.
“Many of us are migrants or have migrants in our families. Many have lived here for generations and some of the city’s best loved institutions are thanks to those who have chosen to build their lives here.
“We all benefit from this, and our city and its culture are all the better for it – something we’re aiming to promote through our ‘Edinburgh is Our Home’ campaign.
“Unfortunately, however, with a rise in racist language, political rhetoric and hate crimes, we know that some in our communities are understandably feeling uneasy or unsafe.
“That’s why it’s more important than ever for us to come together and challenge this harmful messaging and I’m very grateful to EVOC for organising this gathering of New Scots. It was so moving and insightful to hear their stories and perspectives first hand and I’m determined to do everything I can to make sure Edinburgh remains a place where people from across the world want to call home.”
John Hawryluk, EVOC’s Service Lead commented “The stories told about migration can shape public attitudes, services and policy.
“This third edition of the Gathering created space for organisations working alongside and with New Scots to connect policy discussion with creative practice, share what they are learning and consider how we can communicate with greater purpose and care.
“Bringing people together from across Edinburgh, the Lothians and other parts of Scotland showed the value of collaboration. We want to build on these conversations and support approaches that strengthen participation, challenge harmful narratives and help create communities where everyone can belong.”
Recorded sessions from the Gathering will be shared through EVOC’s digital channels after the event. Anyone interested in the next stages of this work can sign up to EVOC’s newsletter for updates.
We’re delighted to invite you to free Wellbeing Sessions for Women 50+ delivered in partnership with Creative Edinburgh.
Join us for one (or more!) of three upcoming wellbeing sessions this autumn, each designed by artists to offer a welcoming space to learn new skills, share experiences, and connect.
First up: Paper Weaving Workshop with Sally Price
Thursday 17 September, 10am
You may know Sally from her work across some of our much-loved projects taking place at North Edinburgh Arts: Saturday Arts & Dance, Room for Art, and Art Buds Collective, and now she’s bringing her creativity to this new workshop.
In this session, Sally will guide us through a simple yet effective paper weaving technique, playing with colour, pattern and process. Repetitive and relaxing, paper weaving keeps your hands busy and your mind focused, using a mix of papers, including recycled and hand-painted pieces, to create beautiful results.
These sessions encourage personal expression and joyful creativity, helping build confidence and a sense of wellbeing.
An afternoon of enterprise, employability support and inspiring local stories!
Join us on Wednesday 9 September, 11.30am – 3pm at North Edinburgh Arts for a warm, welcoming afternoon of enterprise and employability support, practical advice, and inspiring stories from local entrepreneurs.
Everyone’s welcome, drop in for all of it, or just the parts that interest you.
What to expect:
Wednesday 9 September
11.30am – 12.00pm
Welcome tea and coffee, Local Makers’ Market and information stalls from Business Gateway, Capital City Partnership, Elevator, and Firstport
12.00pm – 1.15pm
Screening of ‘Create Community Wealth’ documentary film followed by a short discussion led by filmmaker, Bob Winton
1.15pm – 2.00pm
Lunch (soup and sandwiches) and a chance to chat, meet new people and find out more about support available
2.00pm – 3.00pm
Panel discussion focused on practical guidance, honest reflections, and real-life experiences of starting and developing projects, businesses and social enterprise
This event is being delivered by North Edinburgh Arts in partnership with Business Gateaway, Capital City Partnerships and Firstport.
I SWEAR is a frank, funny and powerful film inspired by the life of John Davidson, MBE, charting his journey from a misunderstood teenager in 1980s Britain to a present-day advocate for the understanding and acceptance of Tourette Syndrome.
Diagnosed at 15, John navigates troubled teenage years and into adulthood, finding inspiration in the kindness of others to discover his true purpose. It’s a hilarious, moving and life-affirming story that shines a light on a condition still widely misunderstood.
This screening is part of the Local Cinema Network, supporting film screenings co-curated with and for local communities across a range of community venues in Edinburgh.
Our creative sessions for local children are back this week after the summer break! Let’s get messy, move, and make things together.
CREATE (ages 0–5, with parents/carers)
Thursdays 10am–12pm & Saturdays 10.30am–12.30pm | Starts 27 August
A hands-on, messy-play art experience for our youngest artists and their grown-ups, using low-cost materials you can easily recreate at home.
Saturday Arts & Dance (ages 5–12)
Saturdays 10.30am–12.30pm | Starts 29 August
A relaxed morning of art-making, games, movement and play, split into two age groups (5–7 and 8–12).
Both sessions are completely free and run during term time, for families living in Muirhouse, Pilton, Granton & Drylaw. Healthy snacks are provided.
Places are first-come, first-served, so we’d recommend arriving in good time to avoid disappointment. Registration is required (but if you’ve already signed up earlier, no need to do it again)
Visit our website for more details or get in touch with us:
Our Summer Breakfast Club is having a special visit from National Museums Scotland! They’ll be popping by on Wednesday morning 22 July with a box of museum highlight objects for you to explore, touch, and get curious about!
BREAKFAST CLUB runs every morning, 10am–12pm, Monday–Saturday, until 8 August.
Pop by Macmillan Hub for free breakfast, hang out with your friends, and play games. We’ve got cereal, fruit, pastries, breakfast bars and refreshments waiting for you!
For local children and families living in Muirhouse, Pilton, Drylaw and Telford areas
We have six pairs of Fringe Days Out vouchers (worth £30) up for grabs for NEA Ordinary Members.
These can be used to book tickets to any shows that are part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026. All NEA Ordinary Members will be entered into a draw, with six lucky winners picked at random.
Not a Member yet? Sign up by end of the day Monday 20 July and have your name added to the prize draw to be in with a chance of winning:
Book your place at: 
We’d love to hear from you if you’d like to take part in a panel discussion, or if you have photos, memories, or memorabilia to share about women and girls’ football in North Edinburgh. Email 
A healthy shared breakfast is included
For women aged 50+
Doors open & food sharing from 5.30pm (soup & bread served)
Screening starts 6pm
CREATE (ages 0–5, with parents/carers)
Images by Olly Benton: Creative sessions at the North Edinburgh Community Festival 2026
