Project launch!

Understanding the impact of ‘meanwhile’ spaces on the ecology of artists’ studios in Scotland: A scoping review is now live!

Running from February to June 2006, this new research project will scope the emerging meanwhile ecology in Scotland, mapping existing provision and exploring the impact of meanwhile use. It will conclude in a report that makes a series of recommendations for policy and practice in this new area.  

“We are delighted to have been commissioned to lead this research project into the emerging meanwhile ecology in Scotland, and its impact upon artists and creative practitioners. Meanwhile use can be fantastic but there are also fragilities and vulnerabilities that urgently need to be critically addressed. We hope that this project – the first of its kind to ‘map’ a meanwhile ecology across an entire country at once – will do just that.” Dr Emma Coffield, Lecturer, School of Arts and Cultures, Newcastle University

“Meanwhile providers are now the largest providers of spaces for artists and creative people in Scotland. Although the benefits of the provision of free spaces for artists and creative people is obvious, especially for emerging practitioners, these spaces are contingent on third party landlords and are, by nature, temporary spaces. We are therefore keen to understand the ecology of these spaces on artists’ practice.” Andrew Leitch, Creative Industries & Capital Projects Officer, Creative Scotland 

We look forward to getting in touch with more exciting news and events soon!

Last modified: Wed, 25 Feb 2026 11:15:46 GMT