Innerleithen Open Studios 2024
Innerleithen Open Studios celebrates local art and artists through a weekend of exhibitions and events. Thanks to support from Destination Tweed’s Community Grants Scheme, Innerleithen Open Studios was able to expand their offering for 2024.
Since 2022, a team of volunteers has worked together to coordinate Innerleithen Open Studios, a community-led celebration of local art and artists in Innerleithen and the surrounding area. Over the course of a weekend, local artists open their studios to visitors and/or display their works in venues around the town including shop windows on the High Street.
Innerleithen Open Studios applied to the first round of Destination Tweed’s Community Grants Scheme in June 2024 for funding to support delivery of their 2024 programme of events. In particular, they wanted to expand the number and range of hands-on/participatory events on offer, to increase their marketing activities in advance of the weekend, and to extend their programme to incorporate nearby Walkerburn.
With the support of a grant from Destination Tweed, Innerleithen Open Studios was able to expand its programme, offering additional participatory events including four guided walks along the river, four hands-on workshops and a ‘Gaitherin’’ with music and stories.
Artists opened their home studios to visitors, works were displayed in local businesses’ windows, and a river-themed group show and an exhibition in nearby Walkerburn were also delivered.
A trishaw taxi service (pictured) was available for transport between Innerleithen and Walkerburn, to reduce transport-related barriers between the towns, and to enable those with mobility access needs to experience the riverside path.
Grant support also enabled Innerleithen Open Studios to expand their marketing of the weekend and its events, to spread the word wider than usual.
Innerleithen Open Studios 2024 saw 35 artists displaying their work in and around Innerleithen. Around 180 people participated in hands-on workshops and guided walks, with many more enjoying the artists’ work in and around Innerleithen. The weekend celebrated and highlighted the work of over 60 fabulous local artists.
Innerleithen Open Studios remains a community-led event, made possible thanks to input from a core team of 12 volunteers.
The team looks forward to Innerleithen Open Studios 2025, when they anticipate achieving even more with an increased volunteer team, having received new offers of support from individuals involved in 2024’s events.
Total project costs: £2628.64
Grant awarded: £2305.19 (88% of total costs)
12 volunteers helped with the delivery of this project
31 participating artists
Over 200 attendees
Such inspiring community creativity which created a real buzz around the town. Great to talk to local people, learn new things and see all of this fantastic work on display.
Definitely more people coming into the shop on Saturday and buying, which is good. Can’t wait for next year!
A friendly and easy to participate in local event! Great to see thought-provoking art from creative minds.
Feedback from attendees and participants of the Open Studios.
The Community Grants Scheme was made possible by funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland.
Find out more about Destination Tweed’s Community Grants Scheme