The Visual Artist and Craft Makers Awards (VACMA) are a programme of small grants schemes with a range of local authorities and art agencies across Scotland to support visual artists and craft makers in their creative and professional development.
Established by Creative Scotland, these partnerships give support at a local level and work with local panels to offer funds to support practitioners at all stages of their career who have demonstrated a commitment to their work and in developing their practice through new work, new skills or new opportunities.
Awards of between £500 and £1,500 are available. The next deadline is Tuesday 2 October 2018.
Many of the VACMA schemes also provide mentoring opportunities. Please see the relevant local guidelines for further details.
Whilst each devolved award is tailored to the needs of local artists and makers, we have some overall guiding principles and information to help you with your application.
Downloads
See the links below for further information about local schemes in your area. Each partner is holding drop-in information sessions ahead of the October deadline.
We are currently working with partners in 21 local authorities across Scotland. We are always looking to expand our network of Local Authority partners. If you are interested in developing a local scheme please contact Stephen.Palmer@creativescotland.com.
| Local Authority | Status and deadline |
|---|---|
| Aberdeen |
Info session: 6 September Deadline: 2 October 2018 Second Deadline: 5 February 2018 |
| Aberdeenshire |
Info session: TBC Deadline: 2 October 2018 Second Deadline: 5 February 2018 |
| Ayrshire (North, South and East) |
Info session: 30 August 2018 Deadline: 2 October 2018 Second Deadline: 5 February 2018 |
| City of Edinburgh |
Info session: TBC Deadline: 2 October 2018 Second Deadline: 5 February 2018 |
| Dundee |
Info session: 7 September 2018 Deadline: 2 October 2018 Second Deadline: 5 February 2018 |
| Dumfries and Galloway |
Info session: 15 August 2018 Deadline: 2 October 2018 Second Deadline: 5 February 2018 |
| East Lothian |
Info session: 11 September 2018 Deadline: 2 October 2018 Second Deadline: 5 February 2018 (funds permitting) |
| Fife |
Info session: 7 September 2018 Deadline: 2 October 2018 Second Deadline: 5 February 2018 |
| Glasgow |
Info session: TBC Deadline: 2 October 2018 Second Deadline: 5 February 2018 |
| Highlands and Moray |
Info session: 5 & 6 September 2018 Deadline: 2 October 2018 Second Deadline: 5 February 2018 |
| Na h-Eileanan Siar |
Info session: 21 August 2018 Deadline: 2 October 2018 |
| Orkney |
Info session: 1 & 3 September 2018 Deadline: 2 October 2018 Second Deadline: 5 February 2018 (funds permitting) |
| Perth and Kinross |
Info session: 12 September 2018 Deadline: 2 October 2018 Second Deadline: 5 February 2018 |
| Scottish Borders |
Info session: 24 September 2018 Deadline: 2 October 2018 Second Deadline: 5 February 2018 |
| Shetland Islands |
Info session: 9 September 2018 Deadline: 2 October 2018 Second Deadline: 5 February 2018 |
Whenever schemes are launched or deadlines are imminent, these will also be posted on Creative Scotland’s Opportunities website. Also follow the Twitter hashtag #VACMAScotland for the latest announcements.
These schemes run alongside our support for individual artists, available through the Open Project Fund.
