New opportunity for Scottish visual artists launched

A £50,000 fund for Scottish visual artists working in film and video has been created by a partnership between the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen.
The new fund aims to support innovative and experimental quality work by visual artists using film and video. Awards of between £5,000 and £15,000 are available to support artists with an established body of work in the visual arts and some previous work in film.
Successful applicants will receive guidance from both Scottish Screen and the Scottish Arts Council on promoting their work to international and UK film festivals, as well as sourcing other exhibition opportunities, such as galleries and cinemas.
Amanda Catto, Head of Visual Arts, Scottish Arts Council, said: “Artists’ film and video is extremely strong in Scotland and this development aims to capitalise on that. Awards will help artists to develop new work and, importantly, to present that to audiences locally, nationally and internationally. Collaborating with Scottish Screen helps build a higher profile for artists and their work amongst new audiences and enhances our support to the successful artists.”
Becky Lloyd, Short Film Executive at Scottish Screen, said: "There is a history of experimentation among artists using film and video in Scotland and I am delighted that Scottish Screen is able to support this exiting new collaboration which will ensure this area of practice is given the profile it deserves."
Artists applying for the fund will be expected to provide a copy of their previous work and describe how work in film progresses their artistic practice.
The funding is exclusively for visual artists; it is not intended to support filmmakers who wish to make films about artists or the visual arts.
(GB)