Open Call: Visual Artist and Craft Maker Awards Grant (UK)

Creative Scotland is delivering the Visual Artist and Craft Maker Awards (VACMA) as small grants for visual artists and craft makers in Scotland, supported through National Lottery funding. The 2026/27 programme offers fixed bursaries of £500 and £1,000, delivered in partnership with 24 local authorities and arts agencies across Scotland. Applications have two deadlines: 5pm, 20 October 2026 (Autumn) and 5pm, 2 February 2027 (Winter). The Visual Artist and Craft Maker Awards (VACMA) are a programme of small grants schemes delivered in partnership with local authorities and arts organisations across Scotland. The schemes are managed locally by partners, meaning the application route is through the relevant partner for your area and the deadline you are applying for. VACMA’s purpose is to support visual artists and craft makers in their creative and professional development. The programme is supported by Creative Scotland through funding from the National Lottery. VACMA 2026/27 offers fixed bursaries at two levels: Applicants should choose the bursary level that best suits the proposed activity, according to the programme page. The source provided does not specify whether there are additional costs covered, contribution requirements, or restrictions beyond the fixed bursary levels. For detailed rules, readers should use the official Guidance for Applicants documents linked on the page. Not specified in the source: eligibility criteria beyond applicant type (for example, age, career stage, residency proof, or exclusions). Readers should confirm all eligibility requirements in the Guidance for Applicants. The programme page states that VACMA supports artists and craft makers in creative and professional development, but it does not list specific themes, sectors, or allowable activity types. Not specified in the source: detailed funded activity categories or priority areas. Applicants should refer to the Guidance for Applicants for the full description of what activities are eligible. VACMA provides fixed bursary funding for visual artists and craft makers in Scotland, delivered through local authorities and arts partners. Because the scheme is managed locally, applicants should align their application with the correct partner and deadline for their area, especially since some partners offer only the Autumn or only the Winter deadline. The programme is delivered through partners across Scotland, and not all partners offer both deadlines. Check the “Partners participating in the Autumn deadline” and “Partners participating in the Winter deadline” lists to find the correct partner for your area. The page notes that you should apply on your partner’s website after confirming which deadline your local partner is offering. Download the Guidance for Applicants (including PDF, text-only, Gaelic, Easy Read, and BSL version where available).

Official guidance and downloads:

(Other formats are listed on the page, including text-only, Gaelic, Easy Read, and BSL.)

1) What is the Visual Artist and Craft Maker Awards (VACMA) programme?

VACMA is a Creative Scotland-backed small grants programme delivered in partnership with local authorities and arts organisations across Scotland to support visual artists and craft makers’ creative and professional development.

2) How much funding is available under VACMA 2026/27?

VACMA 2026/27 offers fixed bursaries of £500 and £1,000. Applicants apply for the level that best matches their proposed activity.

3) When are the VACMA application deadlines?

There are two deadlines: 5pm, 20 October 2026 (Autumn) and 5pm, 2 February 2027 (Winter).

4) Do all local partners offer both deadlines?

No. The page states that not all partners offer a scheme with both deadlines. Applicants should check the partner lists on the VACMA page and then apply on the correct partner’s website.

5) Who can apply?

The page states that visual artists and craft makers in Scotland can apply. Further eligibility requirements are set out in the Guidance for Applicants.

6) Where do I find the application guidance and documents?

The VACMA page provides downloadable guidance materials, including Guidance for Applicants in multiple formats (PDF, text-only, Gaelic, Easy Read, and a BSL version).

7) How do information sessions work?

The page lists information sessions with dates and times for potential applicants: Wednesday 30 September (10.30am–12 noon) and Wednesday 14 January (2pm–3.30pm). Booking details are referenced on the page, but submission instructions are not specified in the article text. If you are a visual artist or craft maker in Scotland, review the VACMA Guidance for Applicants and check which local authority partner offers the Autumn and/or Winter deadline in your area. Then follow the application instructions on your local partner’s website and submit by the stated 5pm deadline.