Allt Festival
4–7 June 2026
Forth Valley
Celebrating creativity across central Scotland
Allt Festival is a celebration of creativity across the Forth Valley region, taking place from 4-7 June 2026. Formerly known as Forth Valley Art Beat, the festival invites artists, makers, and designers to open their studio doors to the public over four days, sharing the spaces, stories, and processes behind their work.
Whether you’re an established or emerging creative, Allt Festival is an opportunity to showcase your practice, connect with new audiences, and be part of a vibrant network of creatives from across the region.
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Open calls for group exhibitions
Would you like to be part of Allt Festival but do not have a home studio? Below are three fantastic Open Calls, offering opportunities to artists and makers from Forth Valley to exhibit in group exhibitions. These three group exhibitions are at Allt Festival’s Launch Venues and will be central to the Allt Festival opening evening on Thursday, 4th June in Dunblane.
Emerging Artists at Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing Brewery
Allt Festival are seeking applications from young artists ages 16-26 from, or with connections to, Forth Valley, to be part of a varied contemporary exhibition at Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing Brewery.
Exhibition of craft disciplines at Craft Central
This exhibition will be hosted at Craft Central in Dunblane, forming a central part of the town-wide launch night event on Thurs 4 June, and of the week-long festival programme.
Artists working in 2D at Weigh Ahead Arts
Weigh Ahead Arts are seeking artists based in the Forth Valley area for inclusion in their curated exhibition. They’re looking for 2D work in any media.
About Allt Festival
allt / n. / auLd / Gaelic
— brook, burn, stream
Allt Festival is a celebration of creativity and imagination taking place across the Forth Valley region of Central Scotland. It is the new trading name for Forth Valley Open Studios CIC and is delivered by co-producers Natalie McIlroy and Janine Matheson.
Each year, artists, makers and designers are invited to open their studios and workshops to the public. Visitors can step behind the scenes of a creative practice, watch and take part in live demonstrations, and hear makers speak about their work. The festival also offers a unique opportunity to buy artworks directly from the artists. Allt Festival is committed to showcasing a wide range of disciplines, ensuring there is something to inspire everyone.
Alongside the open studios, visitors can enjoy a programme of additional events and group exhibitions throughout the Allt Festival weekend. In 2026, the Opening Event will take place in Dunblane on the evening of 4 June, featuring a series of curated exhibitions all within easy walking distance. In the years that follow, the launch event will move to different locations across Forth Valley, celebrating the diversity and geography of the region.
Development of Allt Festival
Forth Valley Open Studios began in 2010 and later evolved into Forth Valley Art Beat (FVAB) to encompass a wider range of activity. For 12 years, it was one of the region’s largest cultural events. Directed by Avril Nicol and founded by a small group of artists, it created an annual opportunity for artists to connect with one another and with their communities.
In 2024, Avril Nicol and producer Rosy Naylor concluded their work with FVAB and the event came to a close. At the request of local makers, Natalie McIlroy—one of the Directors of Craft Central CIC in Dunblane—took over the directorship, joining forces with freelance producer and curator Janine Matheson.
Natalie received GoSeeShare funding from Creative Scotland to research other Open Studio events across Scotland and to gather further feedback from artists in the region. From May to October 2025, Natalie and Janine visited Spring Fling Open Studios, ArtWalk Porty and ArtMap Argyll.
After months of research, networking and feedback analysis, Allt Festival was launched in November 2025 as an ambitious yet thoughtful flagship event.
Thank you to everyone who has supported the past, present and future versions of this event. The Allt team looks forward to a vibrant future of creative collaboration!
Support Us
Allt Festival is produced by Janine Matheson and Natalie McIlroy, who are currently working on the event voluntarily. We do hope to receive funding, of which we will publish details here on the Allt Festival website. Until then, all support is greatly appreciated. Support could be monetary, but it could also be by spreading the word for the event in June, or approaching us for a partnership or future collaboration. Email [email protected].