OPEN

Open Submission

ABOUT

For 2018, Visual Arts Scotland and the Society of Scottish Artists will present one single open annual exhibition.  Jointly selected and curated by representatives of each Society, the exhibition will demonstrate fully the diversity of contemporary and applied art being created today.

Central to the show, as always, will be work selected through our open call to artists. All artists are welcome to submit work for consideration. The Open Submission offers the distinct opportunity for emerging and established contemporary artists, designers and craft makers, members and non-members to showcase new and unseen work in Scotland’s flagship exhibiting venue.  Diversity is always at the heart of our curatorial vision, even more so this year than ever as we join forces with our friends at the SSA. 

Works selected through the open submission are also eligible for an ever growing list of awards, selected by judges once the exhibition is hung. This years total prize fund is currently standing at close to £10,000, awards confirmed so far include:

  • The VAS : Inches Carr Makers and Mentors Award, £5000 prize money plus £2000 in mentoring support. (seperate application required for this award)
  • The Great Art Award, £1000 in vouchers to spend at Great Art
  • The Craft Scotland Award for design and craftsmaship, which will this year be awarded to a glass artist
  • The Richard Coley Award for Sculpture, £500 for artists over the age of 40
  • The Morton Fraser Award, £250
  • The Scottish Gallery Award, £250
  • The Powderhall Prize for Sculpture, £200
  • The Open Eye Gallery Award, an exhibition at the Open Eye Gallery
  • The Studio Faire residency award, a month long residency at Studio Faire in South West France
  • The Scottish Arts Club Award, two years membership of the Club and a solo exhibition

We welcome submissions in any media and there is no size restriction.
Submissions open Monday 25 September 2017
Deadline 5pm, Monday 6 November 2017

Applications are welcomed from members and non members, but Members of Visual Arts Scotland benefit from reduced entry fees. Subscriptions start at just £20, sign up online today to take advantage of this and many more membership perks:

Key Dates:

Submissions for proposals for installations etc. works opens Thursday 3 August 2017
Deadline for proposals for installations etc works 5pm, Monday 18 September 2017
Pre-selected proposals announced by Thursday 12 October 2017

General submissions open Thursday 24 September 2017
Deadline for general submissions 5pm, Monday 6 November 2017
Pre-selected works announced by Thursday 30 November 2017

Hand in of pre-selected works Sunday 21 January Nov 2017 10am – 5pm
Return of non-selected works Wednesday 24 January 10am – 5pm
Open to public Monday 29 January – Thursday 8 March 2018
Final hand out Saturday 10 March 10am – 4pm