At a Glance
- Tasks: Support creative projects with older people and collaborate with writers and care home staff.
- Company: Edinburgh International Book Festival, a vibrant cultural hub.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience, develop your artistic skills, and make a difference in the community.
- Other info: Flexible hours and a chance to learn from experienced professionals.
- Why this job: Join a unique opportunity to inspire creativity and connect with diverse voices.
- Qualifications: Early career artist with a passion for community engagement and creativity.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 25000 £ per year.
Posted on: 30th June, 2026. Closing date: 17th July, 2026. Apply by 12pm on Friday 17 July for this fixed-term freelance role based in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh International Book Festival are seeking two early career artists who would like to develop their experience of working with older people and who can work in a creative and responsive way to ideas from the Book Festival, participants and key partners. This will involve working closely with the Paper Trails Writers in Residence to develop the emerging shape and content of the programme in conversation with the care home staff and mobile library team.
Key responsibilities- To support the Writer in Residence to enable the participating groups to have their voices heard and their creative work to be nurtured and valued throughout the project.
- To attend all Paper Trails workshops as outlined in the project schedule, taking on a project support role.
- To help plan project activities in a timely and professional manner, in collaboration with the Writers in Residence, care home staff and participants as required.
- To suggest possible additional artists or artistic elements to support the emerging ideas across the project as a whole.
- To participate in marketing and publicity activity as required.
- To write a blog about the traineeship for Book Festival’s Blog.
- To participate in the project’s evaluation process, and to provide regular feedback to the Book Festival and its partners.
- Early career artist with some experience within the literary and/or cultural sector.
- An interest in developing creative practice in participatory, community, care settings.
- Ability to take the lead from/work with the creative ideas of another artist/writer.
- Open and flexible attitude to evolving projects and responding to participant and partner input and ideas.
- Excellent communicator who can work with and represent the project.
- A creative thinker who can provide support in troubleshooting and creative problem-solving.
- Commitment to equal opportunities and social inclusion; tolerance and respect of difference.
- Generosity of spirit and a willingness to learn from others.
- Experience of collaborating across different art-forms.
- Experience/appreciation of cultural programming.
- Positivity and resilience.
- Plans ahead but will happily adapt and develop plans as new opportunities arise.
- Motivated, pro-active and enthusiastic, even in the face of challenges.
- A strong commitment to equality, inclusivity and diversity.
- A willingness to work out with standard office hours, as the job dictates.
We think you need these skills to ace Paper Trails Trainee Artists – Care Homes (Edinburgh International Book Festival)
Creative Practice Development
Experience in Literary Sector
Participatory Art Experience
Collaboration Skills
Communication Skills
Project Planning
Creative Problem-Solving
