VACMA grants for artists opens for twelfth year 

The Visual Artists and Craft Makers (VACMA) Award is now open for applications by Orkney artists, to help develop new directions and deepen skills.

Supported by Creative Scotland through funding from the National Lottery in partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Orkney Islands Council, the 2025-26 scheme offers two levels of bursaries: 

• Bursaries of £1k for applicants that have been practicing for over 5 years, regardless of whether they have gone through formal education or not.  
• Early-career bursaries of £500 for applicants that have less than 5 years’ experience outside of education/training, graduated in 2018 or later, or who have not studied art formally but have been practising as an artist for up to 5 years. 

Funding can be used to support developmental research, skills training, equipment, studio work, exhibitions and mentoring. Applicants must live in or maintain a studio space in Orkney. 

Artists who are deaf, disabled, neurodivergent or living with chronic illness or with caring responsibilities and may have additional costs that relate to their access needs and practice can apply for Personal Access Costs, for themselves or collaborators. 

A total of £10.5k is available for local artists in 2025-26. There will be two rounds of applications – the first closing at 5pm on Tuesday 21 October 2025. A second round will open early next year and close on Tuesday 3 February 2026. 

Interested artists are warmly invited to attend an upcoming information session taking place at 7pm on 1 October, at Pier Arts Centre and online via Teams. The event will include a presentation from Sarah McIntyre from Creative Scotland’s visual arts department, with follow-up Q&As, as well and a chance to hear from local artists who’ve benefitted from the scheme in the past. Representatives from the local panel who review applications will also speak about the application process and the types of projects they’re seeking to support.  

The 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.” 

Folks unable to attend the 1 October information session in person can join in via Teams  - contact emma.gee@orkney.gov.uk for an invite link.   
  
More information, application packs and case studies can be found on the Council website www.orkney.gov.uk/vacma 

If you would like to chat through an application or sign up to receive Arts funding and opportunity updates direct from the Council’s Arts Development team, email Emma Gee, Arts Officer. Folks unable to attend the 1 October Pier Art Centre session in person can join in via Teams  - contact emma.gee@orkney.gov.uk for an invite link.