Help to make Hidden Door happen!

We are a volunteer-run charity, and our festivals showcase theatre, spoken word, visual art, dance and music by local and international artists.

This year we’re bringing the old Royal High School on Calton Hill to life, completely transforming the entire complex from 9 – 18 June 2022.

We’re looking for friendly faces to help us with a range of duties before, during and after the festival and to help make this the most exciting Hidden Door Festival yet.

Pop down and help this weekend!

Every weekend from now until we open, the Hidden Door team will be clearing, tidying, preparing and transforming the Old Royal High. And we could use your help!

If filling skips, pulling up weeds, painting and building stuff sounds good, get involved!

Email us at volunteer@hiddendoorarts.org for more info or just drop by for an hour or two, any time from midday on the following dates:

• Saturday 21 / Sunday 22 May
• Saturday 28 / Sunday 29 May
• Friday 3 / Saturday 4 / Sunday 5 June

Here’s how to find us. We’ll have overalls, PPE and refreshments on hand.

If you would like to join the stewarding team we still need friendly faces to help run the festival – see below for more!

We’re looking for self-motivated team members for a range of duties before, during and after the festival such as:

• Clearing and preparing the site before the festival
• Venue building and set up
• Event stewarding, greeting visitors and crowd control
• Invigilating artwork installations across the sites
• Box office support
• Stage management and artist support
• Checking wristbands and tickets
• Queue management, including monitoring noise levels later in the evening
• Clean up after the festival
• Supervising gates and access points to the festival

Why volunteer?

• FREE access to the festival (dependent upon hours volunteered)
• The chance to work with an experienced team and learn new skills
• An opportunity to get involved in the local arts scene and work with a great line-up of artists and contributors
• Be a part of the Hidden Door Festival team, make friends and meet new people
• Food and soft drinks on shift

I volunteered for Hidden Door just after moving to Edinburgh – I met so many great people and it really helped me settle into the city and find new pals!

Jess, 2021 Volunteer

How to apply

Fill out this online form to tell us a bit about yourself and your availability.

If you aren’t sure if volunteering is for you, or would like to understand a bit more about what’s involved, please send us an email at hello@hiddendoorarts.org and we’ll be happy to help.

Offering to volunteer at Hidden Door last year having a visual impairment, I had many trepidations but they were met with understanding and compassion. The inclusive community that is Hidden Door welcomed and encouraged the best out of me. I felt so at home in the festival and I feel privileged having the opportunity to return this year advising on accessibility to best enable others to share in this character shaping experience.

What a spectacular reintroduction to life and what a stellar send off to summer!

Elliott – 2021 volunteer