Artists across the Highlands and Islands are invited to apply for bursaries of up to £750 for their creative development as part of a national Scotland-wide scheme known as the Visual Artist and Craft Maker Awards (VACMA).
It is a programme of small grants schemes delivered with a range of local authorities and art agencies across Scotland to support Scotland-based visual artists and craft makers in their creative development.
This can include researching a new body of work, experimenting with new materials, attending courses, artistic mentoring, masterclasses, residencies, and more.
Funded by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland in partnership with a range of local authorities and arts agencies across Scotland, VACMA is run in the Highlands, Moray, and Western Isles by High Life Highland arts staff at Inverness Museum & Art Gallery.
The VACMA programme offers fixed bursaries of £500 for early-career applicants who have less than 5 years’ experience, and £750 for applicants that have been practicing for over 5 years.
Amanda Catto, Head of Visual Arts at Creative Scotland, said: “VACMA offers essential support to artists and craft makers at every stage in their practice. This funding will enable artists and makers to test new ideas, develop their skills and make new work.
“VACMA is made possible through partnership working and the skill and dedication of our partners who are committed to supporting artists and makers in their local area.
“These awards generate long-lasting impacts and make an important contribution to the cultural ecology of the local area.”
Cathy Shankland, Visual Arts Curator at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, added: “High Life Highland has been running the scheme in partnership with Creative Scotland for a few years now, and has observed how valuable it can be to the artist and their local community.
“Sometimes receiving the bursary can be that first steppingstone to establish an artist’s practice; sometimes it makes possible an artist’s dream project that was otherwise not possible without additional funding.
“In many cases, it opens other opportunities which takes the artist forward in their career, so I strongly recommend that any emerging Highlands- and Islands-based artists apply with that in mind.”
The quality of applicant’s work is key. Successful applicants will have demonstrated a level of commitment to their practice, having developed their skills and ideas in achieving a body of work out with formal education.
Steve Walsh, High Life Highland’s Chief Executive, concluded: “VACMA is a small fund with a big impact – to artists and to the community in which they practise and present their work.
“High Life Highland is delighted to yet again be helping to delivering the VACMA bursaries to artists throughout the Highland and Island regions in partnership with Creative Scotland.”
The Autumn deadline is at 5pm on Tuesday 24th October 2023, and the Winter deadline is at 5pm on Tuesday 6th February 2024.
For any queries regarding the VACMA scheme please contact Cathy Shankland by email at: [email protected]
Artists in the Highlands, Moray, and Western Isles, can find out more and apply for a VACMA bursary at the following link: https://www.highlifehighland.com/vacma/
