Applications open for 2025–26 VACMA Awards
Date: 12 December 2025
Time: 02:00 PM
The second round of funding is open to applications for the 2025–26 Visual Artists and Craft Makers (VACMA) Awards, offering support for Orkney-based artists to develop new directions in their practice and deepen their skills.
A total pot of £4,000 is available for local artists to apply for in the second round of the programme.
Applications close at 5 pm on Tuesday, 3 February 2026.
The scheme is supported by Creative Scotland through National Lottery funding and delivered in partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Orkney Islands Council.
Two levels of bursaries are available:
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Early-career bursaries – £500
For applicants with fewer than five years’ experience outside education or training; those who graduated in 2018 or later; or those who have not undertaken formal art study but have been practising for up to three years.
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Established-practice bursaries – £1,000
For applicants who have been practising for more than three years, whether or not they have completed formal education.
Funding may be used for developmental research, skills training, equipment, studio work, exhibitions, or mentoring. Applicants must live in Orkney or maintain a studio space in the county.
Artists who are deaf, disabled, neurodivergent, living with chronic illness, or who have caring responsibilities may also apply for Personal Access Costs to support their own or collaborators’ access needs.
Orkney Islands Council’s Arts Officer, Emma Gee, said: “VACMA funding has helped enrich the Orkney arts scene for 12 years now, by supporting new and established artists to expand their horizons.
“We are very keen to see all the available funding utilised by our creative community and would urge anyone interested to get in contact or come along to the information session for an informal chat.”
Seven artists were supported in the first round of 2025–26 funding:
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Sam Clark – experimentation with acrylic media, glazes and inks exploring light, fog and cloud.
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Joanne B Karr – creation of an annotated printing reference book of ink recipes and techniques, and production of new prints.
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Anne Bevan – mini-residency with EMEC, creatively exploring marine energy to produce new work.
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Marian Ashburn – residency at Links House to develop new drawings and purchase materials.
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Zoe Davidson – purchase of a dust and fume extraction system to improve workshop safety and support intricate jewellery design.
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Donna Eunson – participation in online programmes and a masterclass to develop lampwork and new glass techniques, plus materials.
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Sarah Crowe – travel to view Rory McEwan’s botanical exhibition and undertake botanical studies along the John Muir Way.
Application packs, case studies and full guidance are available at:
www.orkney.gov.uk/vacma
For advice on applying, or to sign up for Arts funding and opportunity updates, contact:
Emma Gee, Arts Officer
Email: emma.gee@orkney.gov.uk
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Category:
- Arts, Museums and Heritage
