About
Outer Spaces is a contemporary visual arts organisation and charity established in 2021. We support a network of over 1000 artists and produce a free public programme of commissions, exhibitions and events.



We lease vacant properties from commercial landlords in 12 local authority areas in Scotland on a temporary basis. These properties provide us with the space to programme curatorial projects often in collaboration with other arts organisations and partners. Our spaces are made available for artists, art collectives and organisations to use free of charge.
We focus on properties in communities where there is a lack of affordable studio space, supporting artists in locations close to where they live or studied, and placing an emphasis on those who face inequalities in access to the art world because of economic, social or geographic barriers.
Our work removes the barrier of studio rental costs that often prevent artists and recent graduates from practicing and progressing their careers. For over 70% of the artists in our network, their space with us is their first studio, with 100% of this group citing affordability as the primary reason for not having had one before. Our spaces offer a unique environment for professional development, artistic research, studio practice and collaboration. Our programming explores ideas with artists in our network and platforms a range of critically engaged practices.
Shân Edwards, Director and CEO
Sarah-Manning Shaw, Deputy Director
Paul Thomson, Business Development Director
Tiffany Boyle, Head of Programme
Meg James, Spaces Manager
Lois Green, Spaces Manager, Glasgow & West
Samm Anga, Spaces Coordinator, Glasgow & West
Imogen Lee Allen, Spaces Coordinator
Khadea Santi, Communities Coordinator
Helen Deevy, Communications Manager
Edita Lukaskova, Finance Manager
Mike Benson, Trustee Jacqui Burke, Trustee Murray Steele, Trustee


Registered Scottish Charity No: SC051153
Registered Address: Artists’ Spaces SCIO
15 Calton Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8DL
Copyright © 2025 Outer Spaces
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