Shetland Arts continues to offer awards in the form of small grants to individual artists and craftmakers based in Shetland. This year, in line with the other schemes supported by Creative Scotland, Shetland Arts has combined their two popular grant schemes; the Visual Artist Awards and the Working Up Craftmaker Awards to form the new Visual Art & Craft Awards: Shetland. The scheme is delivered by Shetland Arts in partnership with Creative Scotland and Shetland Islands Council.
The new merged scheme will continue to support projects for specialist visual art practice and craft product development, but the service has been extended for applications from craftmakers, visual artists and designers who are now developing new work across artforms; merging fine art or sculpture with craft techniques and materials.
Applications to the Visual Art & Craft Awards: Shetland can be made by individual Shetland based visual artists and craftmakers who have been resident in Shetland for at least 12 months, have created a body of work or are producing quality objects for sale or exhibition. Recent graduates in art and design subjects may apply one year after graduation. Cash awards up to £1500 may be granted towards 70% of the cost of applicants’ own development projects to advance or improve their work. Throughout the award scheme process, Shetland Arts’ Development officers support applicants, enabling them to achieve new levels in their creative practices.
Over the last six years the organisation awarded a total of £88,200 to 102 successful applications from people in all areas of the islands, from Unst to Fair Isle, and Whalsay to Sandness. New work produced through the annual awards can be seen in UK galleries and shops, on websites or online shops. In Shetland it can be found in Bonhoga Gallery Exhibitions; at the annual Shetland Arts & Crafts Association Craft Fair; on the Shetland Craft Trail, and in many local shops and galleries.
Shetland Arts’ team of specialist arts development officers support creative development in the community through public events and developmental initiatives in across all artforms.
For more information contact: [email protected], 01595 74 3843
Application Guidelines and Criteria can be downloaded online here.
