At Capital Theatres, we believe everyone should be able to experience the joy, wonder and connection that live performance can bring.

Alongside accessible performances across our venues, we have developed long term relationships with communities including people living with dementia and children with additional support needs. Every year we connect with over 2,000 people through our award-winning programme for people living with dementia and around the same number of children and teachers across the ASN schools network in Edinburgh.

Through this work we have learned that adapting existing productions is only part of the answer. There is growing demand for work that is created specifically for these audiences from the very beginning, with their experiences, needs and creativity at its centre. However, it can be difficult for artists to develop the skills and expertise needed to make work for these audiences, especially given the challenges facing artists across the sector today.

Over the past four years we have collaborated with artists including Hayley Earlam on Brrr, Barrowland Ballet on The Unexpected Gift, dementia specialist Magdalena Schamberger on Curious Shoes and In The Light Of Day, and Michelle Burke on Jack In The Box and The Christmas Box for audiences in care homes and day centres. These partnerships have shown us both the impact this work can have and the significant gap that still exists.

We are keen to support artists to extend their practice into this gap. If you’re passionate about reaching under-served audiences and want to learn more about placing access at the heart of your creative process, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

Each Associate Artist will receive a bespoke package of support including: 

• £10,000 to support your engagement with the project, with £5k ringfenced for your own time and professional development activities over the 18-month period and £5k towards your creative project
• Ongoing mentoring and professional development support from across the Capital Theatres team 
• Mentoring and outside eye consultation from leading artists working in your chosen field
• Facilitated opportunities for you to gain practical experience with your chosen audience 
• A five-day residency in the Studio Theatre to consolidate learning through R&D of a new creative project for your chosen audience

The Associate Artist placements will run over 18 months between October 2026 and March 2028. We will work with you to agree a bespoke programme of activity that reflects your needs, interests and availability across the period so you are able to continue working on other creative projects and/or manage your own access needs or caring responsibilities during this time.  

We’re looking for artists who: 

• Are based in Scotland
• Can demonstrate a strong track record for creating new work 
• Have a strong interest in, or experience of, creating work with or for people living with dementia or children with complex or additional support needs
• Are not currently in receipt of Creative Scotland Multi Year Funding
• Can commit meaningfully to the programme alongside existing work
• Are excited by collaboration, learning and long-term artistic development

We’re particularly interested in artists who demonstrate:

• A distinctive artistic voice and the ability to realise their creative ideas
• Genuine curiosity about working with these communities
• A thoughtful understanding of what they want to develop in their own practice
• A commitment to engaging fully with the programme
• A desire to contribute to wider learning and knowledge across the sector 

We are committed to building an organisation that reflects the communities we serve across the City of Edinburgh and beyond. Our venues are for everyone, and we value teams made up of people with a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion or belief, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic as defined by the Equality Act 2010. The opportunity to work with us is accessible to all, whatever your background or life experience.  

If you need this information in another format, or need adjustments to apply or interview, please let us know. We will ensure you have the support and information needed to participate fully. 

If you have any questions, please contact engage@capitaltheatres.com.