Perthshire artists and makers are being encouraged to apply to a local awards scheme which can help support their creative practices.

Perthshire is one of the new partners for the Visual Artist & Craft Makers Awards (VACMA), which is part of a national scheme delivered in partnership with Creative Scotland. With awards ranging from £500 to £1500, they aim to help local creatives develop their practices. Local artists will also form part of the assessment panel.

Perthshire Creates is working with Culture Perth and Kinross, which runs the region’s museums, galleries and libraries, to run VACMA in Perthshire. It plans to hold an information session on the Awards on the evening of Wednesday, September 12 at Perth Museum and Art Gallery.  It is encouraging artists and craft makers who think they may want to apply, to attend. A Fife artist and former VACMA award recipient will be a guest speaker and a member of the Visual Arts team from Creative Scotland will be there to answer any questions.

Stephen Palmer, Visual Arts Officer with Creative Scotland, said:

“We have seen the value of these small awards to artists and makers with new ideas generated, increased skills and improved quality of work cited as just some of the benefits. We are very pleased to welcome Perth and Kinross as a returning partner in the Visual Artist and Craft Maker Awards and to seeing the new work produced in the region.’

Helen Smout, Chief Executive of Culture Perth and Kinross, said:

“We know from all the artistic events we have helped put on in the region that this really is a hotspot of creativity. We encourage local creatives to enter these awards and use the opportunity to take the next step in their creative career.”

More information on VACMA here: http://perthshirecreates.co.uk/vacma/