Each year Visual Arts Scotland visit art schools across Scotland to select recipients for our annual VAS Graduate Awards in both visual arts and contemporary craft.

Last year, our visual arts shortlist were part of a showcase exhibition at the Paper Factory in Edinburgh, in partnership with Hidden Door, followed a couple months later by an informal symposium focusing on career pathways in partnership with Leith School of Art. Not only was this another opportunity to exhibit, but graduates also made connections and planned for ongoing collaboration with their peers.

This year we are launching a mentoring programme which will begin later on this summer, to bring together artists from across our membership- to build stronger connections in our creative communities and an opportunity for peer learning.

Some of our 2025 visual arts and contemporary craft graduates went on to exhibit with us at our Dalkeith Palace Makers Market, with others participating in ‘The Thread That Pulls’, at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh, Common Ground; A Living Landscape in Kirkcudbright and Future Folklore: The Art And Craft of Storytelling at the Maclaurin Gallery in Ayr.

All shortlisted artists are awarded one year’s free membership which grants you eligibility for all VAS opportunities across our busy 2026/2027 programme.

See you all very soon!