We’re now inviting applications to participate in the Spoken Word programme for our 2026 festival, happening in Edinburgh from 3rd – 7th June 2026.

Hidden Door opens up forgotten urban spaces for the public to explore and discover incredible music, art, theatre, film, dance, spoken word and more. Through our Open Calls, we invite creatives to be part of this immersive, multi-art-form festival that celebrates new, emerging and breakthrough talent in Scotland.

We are now welcoming Spoken Word applications from:

- Spoken word artists, poets, and performers at all stages of their careers

- Individuals or duos for stripped-back performances lasting 20–30 minutes

- Artists proposing alternative formats or group projects

This opportunity is for artists based in Scotland or with a meaningful connection to Scotland (through residence, study or origin). Artists without this connection are not eligible for this call.

We aim to support talent that has faced barriers to opportunities due to social or cultural factors and encourage applications from underrepresented groups.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

This is not simply a poetry reading opportunity. Hidden Door welcomes applications that may include poetry, prose, monologue, duologue, and hybrid forms between these practices. Applicants are encouraged to include a performative element in their work.

This year we are focusing on stripped-back performances for individual artists or duos, though we also welcome creative or non-traditional proposals, including small group formats.

The festival will take place across a large and unusual building, and we are particularly interested in work that responds to the site and audience journey. This may include pieces that are mobile, pop-up in nature, or able to take place in different parts of the venue rather than only on a fixed stage.

FEES

We are committed to fair pay for all of our artists and performers.

Selected artists will be paid £200 per performer.

ABOUT HIDDEN DOOR

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.

Hidden Door is supported by Multi Year Funding from Creative Scotland