Funding and grants are available to craft makers in Scotland for exhibitions, professional development and other support. Details of the major annual schemes are noted below - please contact the relevant awarding agency for full terms and conditions of each award.
Scottish Grants 2009/10
Scottish Arts Council Funding
The Scottish Arts Council runs a number of funding schemes for both individuals and organisations. A summary of this information can be found on our Scottish Arts Council Craft funding page.
HI-Arts Craft Maker’s Awards Scheme
The HI Arts Craft Maker's Awards Scheme supports craft workers and makers in the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Grants of up to £500 are available to assist the development of an individual maker’s professional practice.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis throughout the year 2009/10, but should be submitted at least four weeks before the start of any course or event. Further information and conditions of the grant can be found on the HI-Arts website or by telephoning +44 (0)131 226 6051.
Art and craft South West Scotland Visual Artist and Craft Makers Award
The awards will be running through 2009/2010, with three rounds staggered over the course of 9 months. Guidelines and application forms for the above grant schemes are available to download from www.artandcraftsouthwestscotland.com. Copies of the form can be requested to be sent by post or email from Colin Tennant, Visual Arts Development Officer or Dawn Youll, Craft Development Officer. They encourage you to take a look at this information and contact them with any queries or for advice in submitting an application well in advance of the relevant deadline (01387 262 084, colin.tennant@dumgal.gov.uk or dawn.youll@dumgal.guv.uk)
The next deadline for application is 4th January.
Craft And Visual Artist Awards, Fife Contemporary Art & Craft
Grants of between £300 and £500 are available for visual and craft artists living or based in Fife. Anyone interested in applying is advised to phone FCA&C (tel +44 (0)1334 474 610) to speak to Diana or Susan about their application before sending it in. The next two deadlines are Fri 20 Nov 09 and Fri 19 Feb 10. Any applications received after these dates will not be considered. Guidelines and application forms are available from the FC&C Website.
Forth Valley Awards Scheme
Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling Councils work in partnership with the Scottish Arts Council to bring this unique scheme of grants to visual artists and craft makers in the Forth Valley area. Forth Valley Awards Scheme makes grants of £200 - £1000 to individuals to provide artists and makers in the with the opportunity to develop their work in new ways, take risks and explore new ideas.
To receive an application form and guidelines please contact Lesley MacArthur stating which award you are applying for: Visual Artist or Crafts Maker. Lesley MacArthur, External Funding Officer Corporate & commercial Services Falkirk Council, Municipal Buildings, West Bridge Street, Falkirk, FK1 5RS.
t: +44 (0)01324 506 260, e: lesley.macarthur@falkirk.gov.uk
The deadline for both awards is 5pm on Monday 8 February 2010.
Craft Maker Awards: Edinburgh
Awards up to a maximum value of £1,000 are available for individual makers who are residents of or based in Edinburgh. The next deadline for applications is 28th January 2010. Information can be found on the City of Edinburgh Council website, or by calling +44 (0)131 529 6720.
Dewar Arts Awards
The Dewar Arts Awards support Scotland’s young artistic talent, including craft makers. Anyone under 30 and living in Scotland who can demonstrate outstanding abilities is eligible to be nominated by a sponsor. Applications are considered on a rolling basis, however the trustees usually meet 4 times a year. Full details and an application form can be found on the Dewar Arts Awards website.
UK Grants 2009/10
British Council Grants to Artists Scheme
If you are a professionally exhibited visual artist resident in the UK, the British Council may be able to help with the costs of transporting work to an exhibition in a gallery abroad.
Submission rounds run quarterly - 1 February, 1 May, 1 August and 1 November – and the amounts awarded range from £100 to £2,000. Forms and further details can be found on the British Council Arts Grants to Artists page, or by contacting +44(0)20 7389 3050.
Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust Awards (QEST)
QEST funds further study, training and practical experience for UK crafter makers who can display a high level of skill and are committed to their craft. Funding of £1,000 to £15,000 is available through the scholarships, and is awarded twice a year. The deadline for spring 2010 scholarship applications is 8 January 2010. Further details can be found on the QEST website.
Details about one-off grants are included in our Opportunities and Training section.
Wellcome Trust Arts Awards
Arts Awards support imaginative and experimental arts projects that investigate biomedical science. All art forms are covered by the programme: dance, drama, performance arts, visual arts, music, film, craft, photography, creative writing or digital media. The Trust invites applications for projects which engage adult audiences and/or young people. Projects should involve the creation of new artistic work and must have some biomedical scientific input either through a scientist taking on an advisory role or through direct collaboration.
Small to medium-sized projects (up to and including £30,000): Funding can either be used to support the development of new project ideas, deliver small-scale productions or workshops, investigate and experiment with new methods of engagement through the arts, or develop new collaborative relationships between artists and scientists. 2010 deadlines are: 29 January, 30 April, 30 July, 29 October.
The 2010 deadline for large projects (above £30,000) has passed.
Find out more athttp://www.wellcome.ac.uk/
