Summerhall Arts Surgeries is an artist development initiative led by Summerhall Arts.

After three successful iterations of the Surgeries during the Edinburgh Fringe, this marks their first stand-alone edition, expanding the programme beyond August to support artists year-round.

The Surgeries offer the chance to showcase early-stage, unfinished works-in-progress in front of a supportive audience of peers and industry professionals. It’s a space to test ideas, take risks and spark new connections across artforms. Two of the eight available performance slots will be reserved for projects exploring themes of climate, ecology and sustainability

About the Surgeries
All forms of live performance are welcome — theatre, movement, spoken word, comedy, performance art, music-theatre, interdisciplinary work and everything in between. This opportunity is less relevant to visual artists or filmmakers.

Each Surgery event showcases four artists or collectives, meaning there are eight performance slots in total.

Successful applicants will:
• Receive a fee of £120 per artist (up to £360 per performance)
• Have the option of a one-to-one call with the event producer ahead of the performance
• Receive peer-to-peer and industry feedback post-event
• Receive professional photos of their performance

Surgeries performances should last a maximum of 15 minutes.The events are designed to be get-up-and-go: minimal tech, minimal setup, maximum creative freedom. Rehearsal space is not included, though they’ll do our best to assist if possible.

Summerhall Arts Surgeries will take place on:
Wed 11 March 2026, 7.30pm (Tech Cube 0, Summerhall)
Fri 20 March 2026, 7.30pm (Tech Cube 0, Summerhall)

Dates
Key dates for your Summerhall Surgeries application:
Applications open: Mon 17 November 2025, 9am
Applications close: Sun 7 December 2025, 11pm
Applicants will hear back: w/b 5 January 2026

Accessibility & Eligibility
• Open to UK-based and international artists.
• Work presented must be unfinished / in development.

They are committed to making this opportunity accessible. If you have access needs, please tell them how they can support you. You’re also welcome to submit your application in video or audio format if that’s your preference — just email imogen@summerhallarts.co.uk and they’ll send you simple instructions on how to do so.

For further information, please contact imogen@summerhallarts.co.uk (Imogen Stirling) or visit https://www.summerhallarts.co.uk/2025/06/summerhall-arts-surgeries-wip-showcase-opportunity/