Scottish visual artists and craft makers weighing how to fund their next stage of work can join a free VACMA Scotland Online Information Session on Wednesday 30 September 2026, from 10.30am to noon. Creative Scotland will run the workshop through Microsoft Teams, with sign-up details available on the VACMA webpage.
The session is aimed at prospective applicants for fixed bursaries of £500 and £1,000. It takes place ahead of the autumn application deadline and will explain the VACMA grant application process.
Two online sessions lead into the funding deadlines
Creative Scotland has scheduled two free sessions, each shortly before one of the national funding deadlines.
| Date | Session details |
|---|---|
| 30 September 2026 | 10.30am–12pm on Microsoft Teams, ahead of the 5pm deadline on 20 October 2026 |
| 13 January 2027 | 2pm–3.30pm on Microsoft Teams, ahead of the 5pm deadline on 2 February 2027 |
Individual VACMA schemes may use only one of those deadlines. Applicants should therefore check the website of the partner operating the scheme in their area before planning their submission.
What the £500 and £1,000 bursaries can support
VACMA funding is intended to help visual artists and craft makers develop their creative practice and professional skills. Supported activities can include mentoring, skills development, research into new ideas, work with sustainable or renewable materials, essential equipment purchases and residencies that contribute to creative development.
Applicants can choose the £500 or £1,000 bursary according to the scale of their proposed activity. The information sessions offer a chance to understand the application process before selecting a funding level and submitting a proposal.
Previous awards show the range of work supported. Bobbi Cameron received funding in February 2025 to attend the intensive nine-week summer programme at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Maine. Jeweller and designer Marion Miller used her award for specialist one-to-one jewellery training, which helped her develop a collection and exhibit work made with the technique.
A national programme delivered through local partners
The funding is provided by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland. Sixteen VACMA schemes, managed by local authorities and arts organisations, cover 23 local authority areas across Scotland.
The programme is administered locally, with partners contributing income and in-kind support. More than 1,366 awards were distributed to artists and makers between 2020 and 2025.
Creative Scotland Visual Arts Officer Sarah MacIntyre said the local partners’ expertise is central to the programme. She described the bursaries as a route for artists and makers to explore ideas, build skills and experiment with new approaches.
Where to find the application and booking details
The VACMA webpage contains the funding criteria, application instructions and sign-up details for both Microsoft Teams sessions. Creative Scotland’s announcement does not specify a separate booking deadline or accessibility arrangements, so anyone requiring further event information should consult the published VACMA details before registering.
Source: Creative Scotland News
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Event times, funding amounts, deadlines and eligibility context were drawn from Creative Scotland’s published VACMA notice.
- Matched both session dates and times with the published schedule
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- 2026-08-27 13:40
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