Edinburgh’s first ever student-led arts festival is to celebrate the creative work of students from Queen Margaret University (QMU), as well as four other universities and colleges around the capital from 5-13 February 2015.

The inaugural Edinburgh Student Arts Festival (ESAF) will be the city’s first arts festival solely run by Edinburgh students, including a mix of performance art, visual art, music, dance, exhibitions, talks, workshops and shows.

The festival programme will take place at venues as diverse and stunning as the Pleasance, Gayfield Creative Spaces and the Roxy. Performances and full day festival programmes will then take place over the weekend of Friday 6 February, Saturday 7 February and Sunday 8 February, followed by five days of exhibitions, stalls, talks, workshops and evening performances.

Associated performances and exhibitions will also take place at a number of satellite venues, including the Dundas Street February exhibition and the Churchill Theatre, where Edinburgh University Footlights Company will be performing its highly anticipated production of ‘Rent’.

QMU, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh College of Art, Edinburgh College, Edinburgh Napier University and Heriot Watt University will all take part in the event.

ESAF was co-founded by Queen Margaret University Students’ Union Vice President, Johnny Elmer, and University of Edinburgh Student Association President, Briana Pegado.  The dynamic partnership has created a dedicated committee of over 30 creative students from across the Edinburgh colleges and universities.

Commenting on the launch of ESAF, Johnny Elmer from Queen Margaret University, said:  “We’re really excited about the launch of the first Edinburgh Student Arts Festival, which will showcase the work from over 250 students. The event will encompass and celebrate art in the widest form. We want to push the boundaries of common understandings of the word ‘art’ and encourage every member of our community to get involved.

“ESAF promises to be a superb week of stimulating and unique events. The Festival is also a fantastic opportunity for all the student unions and associations from the Edinburgh colleges and universities to work side-by-side for the first time.”

ESAF tickets are available online and from the venues’ respective box offices. A full festival pass is available for only £10 and offers access to all performances at the Festival.  A day pass is available each day of the Festival for just £5 per ticket, and those who wish to attend a single performance or workshop will pay only £3 per show. All visual arts exhibitions are free.

For more information visit: www.edinburghstudentartsfestival.com, like on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/edinburghstudentsartsfestival and follow on Twitter @E_S_A_F