Practising visual artists and craft makers are invited to apply for grants to support their creative and professional development thanks to funding from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland.
The Visual Artist and Craft Maker Awards (VACMA) fund activities such as mentoring and skills development; testing new ideas; experimenting with sustainable and renewable materials; purchasing necessary equipment; and residencies tailored to the artist’s creative and professional development.
The programme offers an enhanced £1,000 bursary for artists and makers who have been practising for over five years, as well as a £500 early-career bursary for artists and makers that have been practising for less than five years.
Aberdeen City Council cultural spokesperson Councillor Martin Greig said: “It is great to be working with our partners at Creative Scotland to receive this funding from the National Lottery.
“I would encourage all eligible visual artists and craft makers to apply before the deadline to take advantage of these bursaries.”
Sarah MacIntyre, Visual Arts Officer at Creative Scotland said: “VACMA provides crucial support to artists and craft makers at all stages of their careers, enabling them to test new ideas, develop skills, and create exciting new work. This programme thrives on the commitment and collaboration of our local partners, who are dedicated to fostering and supporting artistic practice in their communities. These small-scale yet often transformational awards have a lasting impact, not only on the individual recipients but the wider communities that they are part of.”
The scheme launches simultaneously with the publication of an evaluation of how VACMA has evolved in recent years and the benefits that it brings to artists, makers and partners. The report can be found here: evaluation
An information session, delivered by partner representatives and members of Creative Scotland’s Visual Arts Team, will take place on Microsoft Teams on 25 September 2024 (2-3pm) and will be followed by a Q&A. Full information and sign-up details are available on Creative Scotland’s website.
Funding criteria and information about how to apply is available at https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/leisure-culture-and-parks/visual-artist-and-craft-maker-awards-aberdeen-city