Learn & engage

Find out about our engagement programme

Group of students doing craft activity in Talbot Rice Gallery
Students enjoying After Hour Making session in our galleries, 2024

At Talbot Rice Gallery we believe that art has the power to broaden worldviews and shift perspectives, helping to create more compassionate, critical and caring societies. Through tailored tours, workshops and events, we work with charities, schools, students and the public to inspire curiosity and participation. Whether you’re part of a community group, an educator or a student we welcome meaningful collaborations.  

For more information, contact our Community Engagement Officer, Sarah Leal:

Sarah Leal
email: sleal@ed.ac.uk
tel: +44(0)131 651 4784

Discover our student, community, schools and public programme via the links below.

Schools

We offer an exciting, varied programme of introductions, tours and workshops (subject to capacity) designed to engage and inspire curiosity across nursery, primary and secondary levels, all completely free of charge. With multiple exhibitions throughout the year, Talbot Rice Gallery presents a rich range of themes, art forms and ideas.

Each workshop is driven by the ideas behind our current exhibition and aligned with the Curriculum for Excellence, focusing on exploring, experiencing, discussing and making. Activities and conversations are shaped by the contemporary art we show, which can connect to many different subjects: from history, politics, ecologies and languages, to give a few examples.

Students

As part of Edinburgh College of Art, one of Talbot Rice Gallery’s core purposes is to offer unique opportunities to students across the University of Edinburgh and beyond –the opportunity to learn first-hand from a working contemporary art gallery. We use our exhibitions as a springboard to inspire and empower students. Through engaging introductions, guided tours, workshops, presentations and lectures, we enhance learning experiences and contribute to professional growth. Our student-centred creative programme This is Your Gallery, sparks curiosity, encourages hands-on engagement with contemporary art, supports wellbeing and helps students develop their creativity while fostering connections with peers. Our curators offer exhibition-making and artist statement writing workshops for many students at different stages in their learning.

Community

Our vision for the community programme is to be more present in people’s lives and more connected to our diverse local community. We aim to provide a welcoming space for exchange, mutual learning, creativity, connection and care.

We work collaboratively with organisations, charities and individuals to design sessions and projects that bring people together.

These activities create opportunities to share ideas, learn from one another, and build knowledge collectively in an inclusive and friendly environment. Through art and creativity, we hope to strengthen community connections and help foster a greater sense of unity.

Public

Our public programme features a range of experiences, including artist talks, panel discussions, curator-led tours, academic tours, performances, creative workshops, family-friendly activities, British Sign Language tours, sensory-friendly mornings and more. Alongside a diverse range of artistic practices, our exhibitions explore social and political themes, offering inspiring opportunities for reflection, creative engagement, and meaningful conversation. Check out our current exhibition here.