Hidden Door
Hidden Door Graduate Support Network

Hidden Door launches support network for art graduates

Hidden Door is launching a new initiative to support recent visual art graduates who have been denied the crucial opportunity of a physical degree show due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Graduate Support Network aims to support emerging artists across Scotland who graduated in 2020 or 2021. The network will provide paid opportunities to exhibit work both online and at future Hidden Door Festivals, plus the chance to take part in a range of collaborative projects and residencies, social events and networking opportunities.

Whilst Hidden Door is best known for its annual festival, the charitable arts organisation is also committed to supporting emerging creative talent all year round, providing a platform for showcasing work and supporting collaborative projects.

Maria, a recent graduate now working with Hidden Door to establish the network, said:

“A creative education, which relies on seminars, specialist facilities and most importantly, a degree show, is simply not transferable to online platforms. We have been denied a pivotal opportunity to present our work to the wider world.

“The Graduate Support Network initiated by Hidden Door is a crucial and timely occasion to bring graduates together, outside of the remit of art schools. It’s an exciting moment for Scottish students to be granted the freedom to make work and be part of a support network committed to providing a platform for emerging creatives across the country.”

Download the Graduate Support Network brochure or see more details below.

Graduate Support Network Brochure (PDF, 4MB)Download

More about the Graduate Support Network

Through the network, we will provide artists with the following opportunities:

Exhibit at Hidden Door 2021 and 2022

We are creating a number of paid opportunities for graduates to exhibit work outdoors as part of Hidden Door Festival in Edinburgh, taking place in September 2021. Then, as we return to a full 10-day festival in 2021, using both indoor and outdoor spaces, we will be able to accommodate a broader range of works and creative projects, offering paid opportunities for recent graduates to develop their practice in a festival setting.

Online shows and artist features

Hidden Door is constantly developing its use of digital platforms to create opportunities for emerging creative practitioners beyond the annual festival. Paid opportunities will be available for graduates to share their work with a new and expanding audience throughout the year through participation in live streams, digital residencies and online features.

Collaborations

We are looking for graduate artists interested in interdisciplinary collaborative projects that will be developed throughout the year and showcased at Hidden Door 2022.

Social events and networking

Hidden Door will support artists and enable them to meet and connect with one another through physical events and digital platforms. 

There will also be extra opportunities… we hope to connect artists with opportunities beyond the work of Hidden Door itself, and will help to match graduates with partner organisations and projects.

Apply to join the network

To be considered for these opportunities, please complete this online survey to submit your details.