About Forest
You can’t currently do all of this amazing stuff, because we’re temporarily closed. But you can volunteer for the Save the Forest Campaign. And you should! Because we all want to reopen as soon as possible. Read on here to find out more.
We’ve left the old about page here so you know what you could have been able to do if we were open right now!
The Forest is a volunteer-run, collectively-owned, free arts and events space masquerading as a vegetarian café. We provide a dedicated space for people to get involved in any creative activity imaginable. Our events have included music, theatre, dancing, yoga, massage, poetry recitals, art displays, knit-ins, book tours, language teaching, monsterbike making…and plenty more. We’re always on the lookout for new events and ideas, even when they take us to space.
The Forest has come a long way since its birth in 2000 in a tiny month-by-month let in Westport. Now located in a beautiful old church at the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, we have expanded to become a multi award-winning Fringe venue, an acclaimed publishing house, a record label, and an inspiration to like-minded projects and people all over the world, from Switzerland to Korea.
What Makes Forest Special?
Forest is not sponsored by the government, city council or the arts council, and we do not exist for profit. We have been running a successful alternative business for years, thanks to the commitment of our large and enthusiastic team of volunteers. We are funded mostly by our vegetarian café, and to a lesser extent by the rental of facilities and the sale of books and records from Forest Projects. In keeping with our ethos that art should be accessible, all our events and workshops are free.
What Does The Forest Have To Offer?
As well as the café, our facilities include a darkroom, a band rehearsal studio, several artist studios and a screen printing room. The cost of these is subsidised as far as possible by the café. We also provide free internet access and a free shop, and our parties are not only the biggest and best in town - they are free as well.
Aims Of The Forest
- To enable greater access to all forms of the performing arts
- To provide opportunities to learn and develop skills
- To increase access to art
- To facilitate the development of artists’ work and skills
- To build co-operation and cultural understanding
- Our full charity constitution
The Forest is defined by the people who contribute to it, and is as diverse as the community that supports it. There is always something going on, which is what makes the Forest such a unique and exciting community space. Everyone here is involved because they want to be - the best way to find out more is simply to drop in!
Want to Grow Your Own Forest?