Manifesto

Visual Arts Scotland is now a leading platform for national and international contemporary fine and applied artists. Originally an organisation for women artists, the society since the 1980s has championed craft makers, designers and applied arts practitioners, as well as contemporary fine art practice.

Learn More

Recent Highlights

Visual Arts Scotland Biennial Exhibition

The Thread That Pulls

The Thread That Pulls - “Happiness is temporary but interest is continuous.” – Georgia O’Keeffe Certain things tug at us over time. The thread is not a fixed object but a force: a line of curiosity, connection, or compulsion that loops...

view

Featured Update

Why should I become a VAS Member?

BECOME A VAS MEMBER VAS Membership is available to all artists across Scotland and beyond (we have membership in Scotland, UK and internationally. We champion a wide range of visual and applied arts disciplines. You can be early in your career or a well established...

view

Featured Update

Inches Carr Craft Development Award Shortlisted Artists

VAS is delighted to announce the shortlisted artists for our Inches Carr Craft Development Award. This award enables artists to develop their practice to a higher level, consider innovation and introduce new materials or techniques to their existing practice. We...

view

Featured Update

Visual Arts Scotland Members - Holding Conversations Part Two - Open Call

Holding Conversations is an ongoing project that takes the form of an evolving touring exhibition. The project explores the intersection of visual art and contemporary craft, the two pillars of Visual Art Scotland's disciplines. Exhibition Dates: 10–21...

view

Featured Update

Open Call: Visual Arts Scotland Annual Members Exhibition 2026, Maclaurin Art Gallery

Open Call for Artists & Makers: Annual Members Exhibition 2026 Maclaurin Art Gallery, Ayr | Presented by Visual Arts Scotland Deadline for submissions: 28th December 5pm | Submissions via OESS: https://visualartsscotland.oess1.uk/ Exhibition...

view

Featured Update

Open Call for Artists & Makers: Common Ground; the living landscape

Visual Arts Scotland - Common Ground; The living landscape - Kirkcudbright 2026 Open Submissions for Visual Arts Scotland's 2026 Kirkcudbright Art Gallery & Museum Exhibition   Exhibition Dates: Exhibition Dates:  Saturday 31st January 2026...

view

Featured Update

Open Call: Natural Collection Exhibition with Scottish Ornithologists Club

Venue: Scottish Ornithologist Club | Presented by Visual Arts Scotland Visual Arts Scotland are delighted to return to the Scottish Ornithologist Club, Aberlady from April to June 2026 for our ‘Natural Collection’ exhibition. Artists are invited to...

view

News

Open Call: Natural Collection Exhibition with Scottish Ornithologists Club

Oct 29th 2025
Venue: Scottish Ornithologist Club | Presented by Visual Arts Scotland Visual Arts Scotland are delighted to return to the Scottish Ornithologist Club, Aberlady from April to June 2026 for our ‘Natural Collection’ exhibition. Artists are invited to visit the SOC...