We are delighted to be hosting Pop! Dance Tempo Move, a joyful new exhibition now on display at North Edinburgh Arts (Mezzanine) until 5 June 2026.

The exhibition is the result of a creative research project, brought to life through an artists’ residency here at NEA with illustrator and artist Katie Quinn. Over the course of her residency, Katie has been exploring and responding to early electronic music, and the technology that was originally created, developed and used to make electronic sounds. This work is rooted in a deep love and fascination for electronic music, and is part of her ongoing project To the Bleep.

A collaboration rooted in North Edinburgh

At the heart of Pop! Dance Tempo Move is a collaboration between Katie, P4 class at St. David’s RC Primary School in Muirhouse, and National Museums Scotland. Together, they embarked on a fascinating journey into the history of recorded music.

In early 2026, the children visited the NMS Collection Centre in Granton to explore the Science and Technology collection. With support from NMS curatorial and community engagement staff, they researched objects connected to how we have listened to and enjoyed recorded music over the last 150 years, from a polyphon and gramophone, to portable tape and CD players, to MP3 and early digital audio players.

Children’s creative workshops

By reflecting on their research and through participation in creative workshops, P4 class created drawings, collage and sculpture in response to their subject, a body of work that reflects both their curiosity and creativity.

Working alongside composer and sound artist Deborah Shaw (Aurora Engine), the children also experimented with making and recording their own digital and analogue sounds. From these experiments, Deborah crafted an original composition, which you can listen to in the exhibition on a tape deck.

Come and see It

Pop! Dance Tempo Move is on display at North Edinburgh Arts until 5 June 2026 and is free to visit.

Huge congratulations to Katie Quinn, P4 class, Deborah Shaw, St. David’s RC Primary School and National Museums Scotland for this truly special piece of work. We are proud to be part of it.

You can read more about the project on Katie’s website: to the bleep — katie quinn

Cover image: courtesy of National Museums Scotland © Andy Catlin