Art Buds Collective
Sustainable Creativity in Nature
Art Buds Collective is an award-winning social enterprise dedicated to the delivery of sustainable arts education in nature for children, families and adults. Our classes promote sustainable art-making, celebrate the creative journey and inspire the protection of our planet.
By booking an Art Buds class or workshop, you are directly supporting our work to bring the joy of art-making in nature to children and families in our outreach projects.
Children and Families
We offer regular term time classes, school and nursery programmes and holiday workshops.
If you are a school and would like a workshop or club, please contact us.
If you are a Home Educator and would like to organise a workshop for your group, please contact us.
'Flower Power' Workshop
Ages 4-10
Holyrood Park
Friday14th April 1.30-3.30pm
This fun holiday session invites children aged 4-10 to discover and create in the dramatic and adventurous setting of Holyrood Park. We will experiment with drawing, painting and 3d making, inspired by seasonal flowers! The park is well served by bus routes and has free and paid parking and public toilets on site. Limited places available.
'Art Discovery Day'
Ages 5-10
Easter Craiglockhart Nature Reserve
Thursday 6th April 11am-3pm
This extended holiday workshop for children aged 5-10 will develop artistic skill and invite discovery in nature. During this 4-hour, artist-led adventure, there will be ample opportunity for young artists to try their hand in new artistic techniques and share their creations around the fire. Easter Craiglockhart Nature Reserve is a beautiful wooded space, easily accessed via Lockarton Crescent. Close to Craiglockhart Leisure and Tennis Centre, the area is well served by bus routes and offers free parking.
'Spring Buds' Workshop
Young Families (18 mths- 3 yrs)
Holyrood Park
Friday 14th April 10.30am-12pm
This fun, creative session will give children aged 18 months - 3 years the chance to make and explore in nature with their favourite grown ups. During our playful and explorative 90 minute workshop, we will invite families to forage, explore and create together in the dramatic setting of Holyrood Park, before gathering to show and share our artwork, creations, songs and a story. The park is well served by bus routes and has free and paid parking available. Limited places available.
Friday Summer Sessions
Ages 4-10:
'Prints in Nature' 7th July 1.30-3.30pm at Holyrood Park
'Sculpture on the Shore' 21st July 1.30-3.30pm at Wardie Bay
'Puppetry in the Woods' 21st July 1.30-3.30pm at Craigloackhart Woods
These holiday sessions invite children aged 4-10 to create and explore in the charming settings of Holyrood Park, Craiglockhart Woods and Wardie Bay. In the park we will experiment with printing techniques, trying our hand at cyanotypes and geli prints to capture natures shapes, in the woods we will explore drama, storytelling and puppet making, while at the beach we will be getting 3d developing sculpture skills! Each sessions will be unique in both process and setting so why not join us for them all ! Limited places available.
'Sun Bubs' Workshop
Young Families (18 mths- 3 yrs)
Holyrood Park on Friday 7th 10.30am-12pm
Wardie Bay on 21st July 10.30am-12pm
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Our summer sessions for children aged 18 months to 3 years give families the chance to make and explore in nature together, making the most of Holyrood park in summer. During our playful and explorative 90 minute workshop, we will invite families to forage, explore and create together in either the dramatic setting of Holyrood Park or the tranquil Wardie Bay, before gathering to show and share our artwork, creations, songs and a story. Limited places available.
Art and Drama 4-day Workshop
Ages 6-12
Holyrood Park
Tuesday 25th- Friday 28th July
10am-3pm
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Back by popular demand, our Art and Drama workshop is now running for four days! Children aged 6-12 years will explore costume making, set design, song, staging, storytelling and performance skills. Participants will take inspiration from nature and the dramatic surroundings of Holyrood Park and work sustainably with a range of materials, culminating in a sharing for friends and families on the Friday afternoon. No experience necessary to enjoy this creative extravaganza!
Classes
Art Bubs Families
Fridays
Children aged 18 months-3 years and their Carer
Friday morning classes are a time for little ones to create and explore with their families and carers. Combining storytelling, play, making and discovery in the outdoors, this session will spark curiosity in the natural world and joy in artistic process. Our term runs from w/c 30th January to w/c 27th March.
Friday 10-11am
Friday 11.15am-12.15pm
Cost: £5/£7.50/£9 per class.
To improve access for all, Art Buds Collective operates a fair payment system
Photo by Alyssa Parker
Craiglockhart Woods
Saturdays
Ages 4-10
Join us for creative adventures in the beautiful setting of Easter Craiglockhart Woods. During this fun and friendly outdoor session, we invite children to forage, explore and make together, before gathering around the fire to share our creations.
Dates: Saturday 4th February-Saturday 1st April ( inclusive) with a Half Term break 18th February
Time: 10.30am-12.00 midday (for ages 4-10)
Cost: £8/£13.50/£16.50 per class.
To improve access for all, Art Buds Collective operates a fair payment system
Portobello
Fridays
Ages 4-10
Join us at the fantastic wildlife haven of Figgate park for our winter season at Portobello ! Our Friday afternoon sessions are suitable for children aged 4-10 and offer a mix of creative projects, environmental learning and free exploration, under the careful guidance of experienced Artist Educators. To book, please follow the link below.
Dates: Friday 3rd February-Friday 31st March ( inclusive) with a Half Term break 17th February
Time: 2-3.30pm
Cost: £8/£13.50/£16.50 per class
To improve access for all, Art Buds Collective operates a fair payment system
Holyrood Park
Fridays
Ages 4-6
Our Friday afternoon classes are designed to engage little learners in exploration, adventure and sustainable art making. Children work in small age appropriate groups with experienced artist educators. These popular sessions spark curiosity in the natural world and joy in artistic process. This class is currently full, please contact us to join the waitlist.
Dates: Friday 3rd February- Friday 31st March (inclusive) with a Half Term break 17th February
Time: 2-3.30pm
Cost: £8/£13.50/£16.50 per class
To improve access for all, Art Buds Collective operates a fair payment system
Holyrood Park
Fridays
Ages 6-12
Our older class gives young people aged 6-12 the chance to extend and develop their sustainable art making, with lots of opportunity for outdoor adventure and discovery. Children work in small age appropriate groups with experienced artist educators. These popular sessions spark curiosity in the natural world and joy in artistic process. This class is currently full, please contact us to join the waitlist.
Dates: Friday 3rd February- Friday 31st March (inclusive) with a Half Term break 17th February
Time: 2-3.30pm
Cost: £8/£13.50/£16.50 per class
To improve access for all, Art Buds Collective operates a fair payment system
Sciennes After School Club
Tuesdays
P1-P4
Open to children in P1-P4 attending Sciennes Primary School, Edinburgh, Art Buds After School Club takes place in the school's nature strip. Join us for outdoor creating, building, painting and sculpting every Tuesday! To set up something similar at your school or nursery, or to find our more about our bespoke 'Schools Workshops', get in touch.
Time: 3.30-5pm
Cost: £9.50 per class
(Please contact the school directly. Financial support available)
Adults
Our bespoke art workshops for adult groups and organisations will leave you feeling creative, connected and inspired! Join our experienced Artist Educators for a grown up adventure that develops sustainable art skills and encourages greater connection with the nature world.
Our adult workshops can be delivered outdoors or indoors. Contact us for more information or to arrange a unique creative experience for your group. Corporate and private enquires welcome. Should your group require any adjustments to support participation, please get in touch to discuss your needs.
Community Outreach
Art Buds offers free programmes of outdoor creative learning for early years and school-age children in Muirhouse, North Edinburgh and Bingham, South Edinburgh.
Our award-winning programme is funded by Creative Scotland and Edinburgh University and delivered in partnership with the local community.
Art Buds in Muirhouse offers children the chance to learn sustainable art skills and explore their local natural spaces safely and creatively. The project won the Creative Edinburgh Community Award in 2022 and has been supporting children and families in Muirhouse since 2020. If you live in the Muirhouse area (EH4 4, EH4 5, EH5 1, EH5 2), you can apply to join our free Monday after-school classes and summer camps by contacting North Edinburgh Arts on 0131 315 2151, or by emailing, admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk
Art Bubs In Bingham launches this April and, in partnership with Community Renewal Bingham and Edinburgh University. The project will be free to toddlers and their carers in the Bingham area and will facilitate play, creativity and safe exploration in the outdoors. If you would like to take part, please contact us.
Contact Us
For more information about Art Buds Collective class and workshops or to enquire about working with us, please drop us a message. We'd love to hear from you!
