Edinburgh Community Connections at the Portrait

The National Galleries of Scotland and partner organisations invited you to a day of creative community workshops, talks, and tours. Inspired by Healing Arts Scotland themes, these events were designed for lots of different communities to enjoy, including dementia-friendly activities, events for the visually impaired community, and workshops for all ages including young people, little ones, and carers—even baby bumps! Attendees learned more about various programmes from partner organisations in Edinburgh offering key services, such as Rowan Alba's work with homelessness, addiction, and mental health, Art in Healthcare's ‘Room for Art’ social prescribing project, and Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity's creative clinic in partnership. A group of young people, the Raploch String Ensemble from Sistema Scotland, performed during the lunch break from 1PM-2PM.

Schedule

10:00am – 10:15AM Registration & Welcome

Joined in the ‘Connections’ exhibition to start the day together and explore the artworks and projects on display.

10:15 - 4:30PM Chose your activity (Booked in advance – links below)

Bring Your Own Baby/Bump: New/expectant parents & carers in the gallery - Background & Tour.

Dementia-friendly Programme: Gallery Social in Conversation and Dementia-friendly Taster Tour.

Dementia-Friendly Self-Portrait Workshop with Lived Experience Artist Willy Gilder.

Visually Impaired Programme: Creatives in Conversation and Visually Impaired Taster Tour.

Room For Art (Social Prescribing Project) - Hidden Lives Workshop with Art in Healthcare.

Creative Clinic at the gallery: A National Galleries Scotland/Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity Partnership.

Creative Minds: Mindful Art for Young People at the Portrait: Book Now

Beyond Cultural Capital: Arts, Mental Health, and Genuine Impact for Young Artists With Dr Rosie Aspinall Priest.

Rowan Alba Library Workshop & Gallery Tour with Sam Rutherford & Rowan Alba Service Users.

4:30-5:00PM Connect

The National Galleries of Scotland was a place where everyone could come and learn, be creative, and make their own connections to the nation's art collection. They offered a range of regularly scheduled talks, workshops, concerts, and exhibitions—designed for all ages, abilities, and experiences. Attendees were invited to end the day with guided tours of the ‘Connections’ display and find out more about what was offered.