Visual Artist and Craft Maker Awards (VACMA) Scotland
£500-£1,000 grants for visual artists and craft makers in Scotland to support creative and professional development through local partnerships.
The Visual Artist and Craft Maker Awards (VACMA) is an established programme providing small grants of £500 and £1,000 to support the creative and professional development of visual artists and craft makers across Scotland. Delivered through partnerships with local authorities and art organisations, VACMA ensures funding opportunities are accessible and responsive to local creative community needs. The programme encourages creativity, exploration, and innovation, supporting artists at all career stages—from emerging creators to experienced practitioners seeking to refine their craft or explore new directions. Funding can be used for professional training, workshops, mentoring, skill development, research and experimentation with new techniques and materials, residencies, sustainable practices, creation of new work for exhibitions, and essential equipment for creative development. Applications are assessed based on the artist's commitment to practice, potential for creative development, and project feasibility. VACMA prioritises clear plans demonstrating how funding will advance work and lead to meaningful artistic outcomes, with strong emphasis on equality, diversity, inclusion, and environmentally sustainable practices.