Launching on June 7th, In its inaugural year, NT Art Month is Edinburgh’s newest festival which celebrates the commercial galleries of the New Town and offers an engaging and accessible entryway for Edinburgh visitors of all ages. Featuring eleven of the city’s finest galleries, NT Art Month promotes a diverse range of opportunities to explore the spaces, meet with some of the gallery directors and artists in residence, live painting and something for the kids.
A full list of their various events, partners, details, and a map of all participating galleries may be obtained from their website here.
We were fortunate enough to spend some time with the events organisers, take a tour of some of the galleries and expand upon what this new festival can bring to the city:
“Let’s be blunt, does Edinburgh need another Festival?”
“NT Art Month is a different kind of art festival for the city – and a festival that’s not taking place during August. It highlights the importance of supporting commercial spaces – spaces that people don’t often consider for a visit in the way they would a major institution. These galleries stage world-class exhibitions with world-class artists and offer incredible access to the arts. So often festivals focus only on the larger spaces and we want to shine a light on other spaces and encourage more people to visit them. We’re excited that NT Art Month is sponsored by Hampden & Co and Good Brothers Wine Cellars.“
“What is it you hope to achieve with NT Art Month?“
“We want to encourage people to engage with the arts on their doorstep with participating galleries this year across Dundas Street, Howard Street, Summer Place and Queen Street. The festival is being widely promoted with a specially designed map to encourage people to walk around the streets and enjoy the events, soaking up everything the galleries have to offer. If you’re looking for an event, there’s still time to sign up on the festival website for the launch night on 7th June. All the galleries will stay open late and you can enjoy amazing wine from Good Brothers Wine Cellars. There are also free events throughout the month which you can sign up for – these include gallery talks, live painting sessions where visitors will have the rare opportunity to observe the artistic process in person, and artist drop-in sessions where not only can you see an artist at work but also discuss the commission process.”
“Which galleries are participating?”
“Galleries participating in the inaugural NT Art Month are; &Gallery which will exhibit works by Scottish artists Molly Thomson and Frances Priest; The Atelier Gallery; Birch Tree Gallery; Harvey & Woodd; Heriot Gallery whose mixed show will include works by award-winning artist Angela Reilly; Bacco Wines who present a photography pop-up from James Glossop; the Open Eye Gallery who are exhibiting Scottish artists Sheila McInnes and Ffiona Lewis; Powderhall Bronze Editions, a new addition to Edinburgh’s gallery scene, who will showcase a large variety of bronze sculpture cast in their own Edinburgh-based fine art foundry; The Fine Art Society whose exhibition includes two works by one of Scotland’s most daring nineteenth-century painters, William McTaggart; The Scottish Gallery who are hosting a number of exhibitions including an exhibition of works by Sir William Gillies, commemorating the 50th anniversary of his death; and Watson Gallery.”
“Is the festival for all ages?”
“Ofcourse! Why yes it is. While gallery visiting may be thought of more as an adult pastime we’re keen to nurture children’s love of the arts as we think an introduction to art is important from a young age. NT Art Month has partnered with St Mary’s RC Primary School, a local school in the heart of the New Town. Pupils have been drawing, painting or creating artwork showing their favourite place in the New Town and these will be shared on the festival’s social media, creating an online gallery to support these budding young artists.
In order to encourage children city-wide to participate, an NT Art Month scavenger hunt leaflet produced specifically for kids will allow investigative young art lovers to test their skills by finding artworks in each gallery and collecting stamps as they go. 28 Edinburgh-based schools are distributing leaflets to students, and families can also pick up a leaflet from all the participating galleries, from Urban Angel café on Hanover Street or download it directly from the NT Art website. If children present their completed scavenger hunt at Urban Angel they will get a half-price takeaway hot chocolate, apple juice or orange juice (when an accompanying adult buys a coffee or soft drink).”
“It all sounds terrific, but what are the future plans?“
“This is the festival’s first year and we’re so excited by the response we’ve had but there are big plans for the future and we hope NT Art Month will become an annual fixture on the Edinburgh calendar. Enjoy year one and please come along to support us and all the participating galleries and then watch out for future announcements about all that will follow.”
The NT Art Month runs in Edinburgh from June 7th across the eleven galleries.
For information relating to the event, the galleries involved, or to join us for the launch event, please check here.