January 30, 2025
Hidden Door has secured development funding from Creative Scotland to continue our work through to 2026.
Creative Scotland today announced its Multi-Year Funding programme – providing stable, year-on-year funding to deliver culture and creativity for Scotland’s people.
We are extremely proud to be one of 13 organisations receiving funding and support to develop our organisation throughout 2025, with a view to joining the Multi-Year Funding portfolio in 2026.
The news comes following a significant budget commitment from the Scottish Government to boost the arts and culture in Scotland.
Hazel Johnson, Festival Director, said: “We are very grateful to Creative Scotland for this vote of confidence in Hidden Door’s role supporting the artistic community. With this funding we can evolve as a small volunteer-run arts charity, offering even more opportunities for new and emerging creatives, and connecting more audiences with inspirational cultural experiences.
“We will work closely with Creative Scotland, as well as their partner Community Enterprise, to develop our plans, including strengthening our focus on environmental impact, equality and diversity.
“We’re acutely aware of the challenges facing the creative sector, and we know that not everyone will have received good news today. But we warmly congratulate all those who have received funding, and we look forward to collaborating with many more wonderful projects in the years to come.”
Dr Jane Ali-Knight, Chair of Hidden Door’s Board, said: “On behalf of the Board I am delighted and excited at the opportunities that regular funding will bring. It will be a game changer in developing the organisation further and continuing our work with the artistic and local communities in Edinburgh.
“Thank you to Creative Scotland; this is testament to the hard work, passion and dedication of the core team, board, volunteers and the support of Hidden Door’s many partners, collaborators and fans.”
We open up forgotten urban spaces for the public to explore and discover incredible music, art, theatre, film, dance, spoken word and more.
Through our festivals we reveal hidden parts of the city and showcase new and emerging artists, musicians, theatre and film makers.
Hidden Door is a volunteer-run charity, with our work funded through ticket sales, sponsorship and fundraising. All money goes straight back into the festival and ensuring all of our creative contributors are fairly paid.
For our 2025 festival, we are taking over a huge industrial site in west Edinburgh – The Paper Factory – from Wednesday 11 to Sunday 15 June for 5 days of live music, visual art, immersive performances and special events.