Context

The Scottish Arts Council supports artists who are living and working in Scotland.   We aim to develop excellence and encourage innovation and imagination both in the making and public presentation of work. 

Artists have always been concerned with ideas, often expressing these through the traditional forms of sculpture, drawing, painting and printmaking.  Today the visual arts also embrace: new media, such as video and computer generated work; site specific work, public art and installation; sound, photography and experimental film.  Contemporary art practice is as much an exploration of how we see the world, as well as a means of creating objects to be viewed within it.

We wish to build on the current strengths and diversity of the visual arts across the country.  Our vision is for Scotland to be recognised nationally and internationally as a centre of excellence in and for the visual arts.  In order to achieve this we have identified several objectives:

• to maintain and develop exhibition spaces, studios and production facilities that achieve the highest standards for artists and audiences
• to promote the strength and diversity of artists in Scotland and support their ongoing creative and professional development
• to grow the number and range of audiences for contemporary art across Scotland
• to encourage more challenging and sustainable education programmes, engaging people with the visual arts throughout their lives
• to support public collections with the purchase and presentation of quality, contemporary art
• to increase public interest in buying original works of art.

Budget The visual arts budget for 2009/10 is £5.71 million, including £2.68 million committed to 12 Foundation Organisations. For information about our about funding schemes, please visit our Funding section.