Summerhall Under Threat: What’s at Stake for Edinburgh’s Artists?

By Kelsey Walker

With the recent announcement of not just St Margarets House, a creative hub that hosts over 100 artists and community groups, but also the recent threat of Summerhall Arts closure, Edinburgh based artists have been left in peril. 

The definitive end of St Margarets House in 4 months time has allowed artists leeway to find solitude elsewhere. However, the recent plans of AMA Homes to transform the beloved creative hub that is Summerhall, leaves the community in uncertainty. While they intend to demolish part of its buildings in the coming years, with plans for a partial demolition being submitted to the council, there has been no confirmation regarding the specificities of the chosen buildings.

Of Summerhall's seven buildings a variety of artists are hosted, and creative endeavours occur- including concerts, showcases, exhibitions and workshops. This closure is especially important for the many acts and artists that travel to Edinburgh for the Fringe. Effectively contributing to Edinburgh's reputation as a cultural hub, the venue hosts some of the most poignant acts, and the exclusive opening party from The List. 

The foreboding closure of both sites limits the ability for venue and studio hire to small independent creatives that have no other options. The current circumstances of both venues reflect the most recent closure and reintroduction of fellow culture magazine, The Skinny. 

While The Skinny and their parent company, Radge Media CIC, suffered from financial issues, a partnership with the charity OuterSpaces brought new life to the magazine, while maintaining the original editorial standards and team. Many similar proposals have been submitted at pre-application stage from AMA as it stands, yet worries surrounding whether or not proposed artists spaces will be financially doable for artists still remains a problem.

To understand the extent that Summerhall assists artists, is to understand the process of creativity itself. Some have been able to streamline the process of writing, recording, mixing and mastering all within the many spaces provided. They have been able to practice for live performances, utilising the space for physical creative endeavours such as music video shooting, social media promotion and official photography- Edinburgh metal band ‘Disposable’ are physical proof of this as they reside in a permanently rented space in Tonegarden. Citing the importance of their place there, vocalist and bass player Billy, described Summerhall as integral to their process, explaining that they do everything there from concept to delivery. 

While ‘Disposable’ are one of many artists that rely on Summerhall, it does not surpass them that there are developments needed to maintain the establishment:

“We are just one band out of the many that utilise the space at Tonegarden, and Tonegarden is just one of many businesses that utilise the arts space at Summerhall. It is hard to imagine that with the inclusion of student accommodation and a hotel on site that there would be anywhere near enough space for the current residents to remain in future. The small amount that do will have to inevitably endure a massive upheaval, a very long wait and a very high expense to do so.” 

“The need for development at Summerhall is undeniable. The possibility of a nice arts centre on the site is, of course, doable, and AMA are certainly capable of developing such a space. We’re not ignorant to the reality that we simply don’t live in a time or place where philanthropic artists-first investment really happens much. In fact, quite the opposite. We’re in the midst of Edinburgh’s artistic genocide, with development and underfunding steamrollering and demolishing art spaces and venues across the city. Edinburgh's “one month on, eleven months off” approach to supporting the arts is quite clear.” 

While there are on-going moves from locals and artists to prevent this closure, the band has admitted that after attending consultations held at Summerhall, it feels futile to go against a larger conglomerate set on development with a fraudulent “Artists first” initiative. 

Ultimately, the demand for creative sanctuaries is at an all time high in Edinburgh. Creatives are experiencing a lack of resources, due to the shortage of funding for the arts sector. The closure of Summerhall could see the end of weekly ceilidhs, the summer concert, choirs and youth music-theatre programs that could be the education for the next generation of artists.  This closure is especially poignant considering the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival, a festival celebrating those within the community and prioritising their mental health.