Artist and craft maker grant closing soon

Orkney’s visual arts and craft makers community is being reminded the closing date for the current round of VACMA grants is 7 February.

Visual Artist and Craft Maker Award (VACMA) awards are supported by Orkney Islands Council and Creative Scotland through funding from the National Lottery in partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), and offers small grants to visual artists and craft makers for their creative development at all stages of their career.

Local artist Clare Gee is one of several artists who received a grant in 2022/23. She says the grant gave her the focus and a sense of duty to take leaps into the unknown with her work:

“Firstly, the commitment to me and my work shown by the panel has been hugely appreciated and has given me a confidence boost and a level of pride that I wasn’t expecting to feel.

“Secondly, the funding has, on a very practical level, allowed me to purchase the tools that have enabled me to develop my work in a much more concentrated way than if I had not had the bursary.

“Thirdly, the award gave me a kick up the backside to make myself and my work more public through a website, and finally, I have started down a creative path that excites and challenges me.”

Find out more about VACMA at www.orkney.gov.uk/VACMA and more about Clare's work at claregee.com