New partnership with Royal Scottish Academy provides exciting new opportunities for visual artists in Scotland

Contemporary artists from all over Scotland will benefit from a new partnership between The Scottish Arts Council and the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) through a new Artist Residency programme launched earlier this month. Providing funded residencies, the new programme will offer visual artists the chance to undertake a period of research at workshops, studios and art spaces all around the country.

The partnership, combining all available residency funds at the RSA, alongside an additional £20,000 support from Scottish Arts Council, will allow more young, mid-career and established artists to develop their practice.

The new residency programme will also increase opportunities for individual artists to exhibit contemporary work, both at the RSA itself and through collaborative partnerships with galleries throughout Scotland.

From An Talla Solais to the Scottish Sculpture Workshop, 14 prestigious artistic centres spanning the width and breath of Scotland have signed up for the programme and artists can now apply for grants of up to £5,000 for research periods of one week up to six months.

Applications for the residencies will be judged and awarded by a Committee of RSA and Scottish Arts Council members in collaboration with the individual centres.

Voicing support at the launch event on 11 June, Scottish Arts Council CEO, Jim Tough said:
“It is truly a creative and confident country that sees the value in investing in its artists, and I am delighted that we have been able to make a contribution with our partners in the RSA, and with the great support of all the host organisations that will give of their time and space.

‘This important new partnership will not only support artists as they explore their work in new settings, stimulating new approaches and inspiring thought, but will also have a significant impact on the scale, strength and future of these residencies. Our aim is that it will encourage and sustain visual artists throughout Scotland”.

Application information The RSA Residencies for Scotland programme is open to artists who are currently living and working in Scotland or are Scottish by birth. The application deadline is 1 September 2009 and all residencies should begin by 1 April 2010. For more information about the scheme and how to apply visit www.royalscottishacademy.org/pages/scholarships_detail.asp?id=36 Participating Centres An Talla Solais, Ullapool Cove Park, Argyll and Bute Deveron Arts, Huntly Edinburgh Printmakers Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop Hospitalfield House, Arbroath Peacock Visual Arts, Aberdeen The Pier Art Centre, Orkney The Rendezvous Gallery/Tigh Alasdair Ruaraidh, Lewis Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Isle of Skye Scottish Sculpture Workshop, Lumsden Stills, Edinburgh Taigh Chearsabhagh, North Uist Wasps Studios (Glasgow, Newburgh and Shetland)