Our essential skills workshops are designed to offer invaluable insights and practical guidance for musicians and organisations working within traditional music in Scotland.
Whether you want to learn how to record and release your music, craft a successful funding application, improve your self-promotion, learn how how to book gigs, or take control of your finances – these workshops are designed with your professional development in mind.
“This was a brilliant workshop that really made me feel like I could achieve things that I previously thought were beyond my reach.”
(Participant feedback from 2025 workshop)
📅 Sun 8 Nov | 10.30am (2hrs)
📍 Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh
Working in the traditional arts can be exceptionally rewarding, but it also comes with pressures that aren’t always easy to talk about: financial uncertainty, irregular work, time away from home, the blurred line between identity and output, and an industry that often expects you to keep going regardless.
This workshop with Jen Anderson is a space to step back and look at those realities honestly. We’ll consider some of the wellbeing challenges specific to working as a traditional artist, share experiences, and explore practical approaches to looking after yourself and each other within the sector.
🔗 Book now
📅 Fri 13 Nov | 10am (3hrs)
📍 Scottish Music Centre, Glasgow
In this workshop with Scottish booking agent Rosie Munro, participants can expect to learn practical self-promotion strategies, how to create a strong Electronic Press Kit (EPK), how to pitch to promoters and bookers, and how to plan tours confidently.
The session will also explore branding, networking, and industry best practices to help artists stand out and secure performance opportunities. Participants should leave with actionable tools, real-world insights, and guidance they can immediately apply to their music careers.
📅 Wed 25 Nov | 10.30am (3hrs)
📍 Scottish Music Centre, Glasgow
This practical workshop with Hayley Preston, Digital Marketing and Communications Officer at TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland), is designed for traditional musicians, storytellers, dancers, craftspeople, and other traditional artists. It explores how social media and digital tools can help participants grow their audience, promote their work, and connect with new opportunities while maintaining the authenticity of their practice and cultural heritage.
TMFS members enjoy discounted and free tickets for selected workshops – get in touch: email [email protected].
These workshops are supported by TRACS (Traditional Arts & Culture Scotland) through Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funding.
Become a member of the Traditional Music Forum of Scotland (TMFS).
TRACS (Traditional Arts & Culture Scotland SC043009) brings together the Traditional Music Forum (SC042867), the Scottish Storytelling Forum (SC020891) and the Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland (SC045085). TRACS is based at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, which is a partnership project between the Storytelling Forum and The Church of Scotland (SC011353).
