Push the Boat Out, Edinburgh’s International Poetry Festival is partnering with Little Sparta on a residency programme to support the creation of new poetry-led work, responding to the work of Iain Hamilton Finlay, the gardens at Little Sparta and this year’s festival theme The Space Between. 

Who it’s for
We invite submissions from pairs of artists living and working in Scotland: the lead applicant must be a poet with at least one published work. Submissions are welcome from artists working in any of Scotland’s indigenous languages or BSL, and from people under-represented in the literature sector. 

What’s involved
The residency programme will last three weeks, is not residential and the on site time can be scheduled by mutual agreement and need not be consecutive. It will consist of around 1.5 weeks at Little Sparta (a minimum of one week must be spent on site), with the remaining time spent in rehearsal and development, and the two performances. The dedicated time on site will allow the artists to immerse themselves in the landscape and begin developing their ideas. Alongside this, artists will be given the opportunity to take part in an accompanying coaching programme, offering space for reflection, development and support across the process.

This will lead to the creation of a new 20–30 minute collaborative, poetry-led performance piece, which will be shared at Little Sparta on 27 September 2026 and then presented as part of Push the Boat Out Festival in Edinburgh (12–15 November 2026). These works should be ‘in conversation’ with another art form, and we actively encourage collaboration. 

Fee & support

• Artists will be paid a total of £2500 for three weeks of work, which includes the residency, rehearsal and development time, and the two performances
• Artists will be reimbursed up to £700 to cover travel to Little Sparta, subsistence and accommodation if required during the residency. We can support with arranging local accommodation, but this is not included as part of the residency
• Rehearsal space and technical support provided

Key dates

• Application deadline: Monday 29 June
• Residency period: late July – early September (dates will be agreed with artists)
• Performance at Little Sparta: 27 September 2026
• Festival performance: 12-15 November 2026

To apply please send:

• A proposal of max 1 page (written) or 5 minutes (video), detailing the form and themes of the project you would develop during the residency. This should clearly outline how you are responding to the theme and would explain why you want to collaborate with each other.
• Up to 3 links to previous work 
• CV for each artist (max 2 pages)
• A personal statement of max 1 page explaining your suitability for the residency and why you think you would particularly benefit from coaching at this stage

Proposals should be sent to Annie Rutherford, Creative Producer: annie.rutherford@pushtheboatout.org

Download the full information pack

Questions or requests for informal discussions should be sent to Emma Collins, Director:  emma.collins@pushtheboatout.org