MEMBERSHIP FEES UPDATE

2024 has begun incredibly for VAS and we are underway with Then & Now: 100 Years of Visual Arts Scotland at the RSA which we are delighted has had so many positive reviews in the press, across social media and from visitors. Members are thrilled too and the wonderful response to our current show has encouraged a flurry of new members. 

This is only the beginning of our Centenary Year and plans are underway for four more significant exhibitions and a Centenary Book. Open calls for these  exhibitions and residency opportunities will be released shortly, the majority of which will ONLY be open to VAS members. 

To enable us to continue to programme a diverse range of opportunities for our members, whilst simultaneously ensuring our freelance staff are paid fair wages, we will be making a small increase to membership fees in line with other societies. As of the 1st of March 2024, VAS membership fees will see an increase of £4.

Our membership fees have remained the same since 2016 and have not reflected increases in inflation or taken into account the current cost of running VAS. 100% of Membership fees go towards the running of VAS; the installation and hosting/running of exhibitions, funding paid residencies, exhibition promotional material, and artist awards and paying a fair wage to our part - time freelancers. For example, we now have a dedicated Membership Liaison Officer to support all Member related questions and act as a point of contact.

This one-off annual fee saves you spending more to take part in our shows. As a VAS member, you do not have to pay submission fees each time you enter our exhibition open calls and you also have access to Members-only opportunities.  Example: A non-member submitting three works for the recent Then & Now exhibition would have paid £45 in submission fees (£15 per work). A VAS Member paid no submission fee as the cost is covered by their membership.

VAS is made up of a talented and active community of artists and supporters and our different membership options are designed to reflect this:

* Associate Member (£24) - this has increased from £20 ( £2 per month overall) *

* Ordinary Member (£40) - this has increased from £36 (£3.30 per month overall) *

* Professional Member (£54) - this has increased from £50 (£4.16 per month overall) *

*All less than the price of an Iced Cappuccino!

Membership & Payment Details

Membership will run annually from the date you make your first payment and from the 1st of March 2024 until the 1st of March 2025. You can cancel at any time. We will no longer be using the PayPal subscription plan model and request that Members pay their fee by setting up an annual Standing Order or pay by direct bank transfer. We kindly request that you pay your renewal by the 31st March 2024. Any queries, please email members@visualartsscotland.org.

Please use the reference MEMBER SUBS &YOUR NAME and make your payment by 31st March 2024 to:

Visual Arts Scotland

Royal Bank of Scotland

Account Number: 10019027

Sort code: 83 51 00

A bit more info on our Centenary Year:

In 2024, VAS will be celebrating its Centenary year and this will put the vital work of the organisation further into the spotlight. Our programme will focus on several key areas and continue with a proactive approach to developing new opportunities and expand what we offer our membership, develop the organisation and find new fit for purpose ways of working that reflects our diverse membership and range of artistic endeavours. These inlcude:

• Celebrating the VAS Centenary - Archive project, several exciting national exhibitions showcasing members work, with more awards and prizes.

• Supporting development – Residency programme, Graduate showcase, Inches Carr Mentoring award.

• Creating a new communication strategy to raise more awareness about artists' work and seeking funding for a better website with potential for an online gallery.

• Sustaining a creative career - Developing an artist's toolkit and resource to increase professionalism and ability to thrive in the cultural sector.

• Organisational health and well-being - governance, structure, organisational sustainability, exploring and developing new income streams.

A bit more info on the Centenary Book:

With 2024 being such a significant year, we would like to celebrate all of the programming taking place over the course of the 12 months as well as the incredibly wide range of artists that make up the VAS member base. Working alongside the archive project, we would like to commission a series of artists to deliver engaging pieces that contribute to the overall production of a book that both highlights the important history of VAS, and its continued work in supporting Scotland's visual artists. We are seeking to make art more accessible to people outside of the formal content of galleries. Producing a physical piece of printed matter reinforces the important records of VAS and will bring together an impressive collection of art. We want the book to be a thing of beauty and with lasting purpose and will involve artists in its design.  A 100th year book would contextualise VAS, capture our evolution as an organisation and reveal how we have stayed true to our core aims & passions.

Reminder of the benefits of being a Member

Our membership ethos is one of inclusivity - all artists and supporters are welcome , regardless of Nationality or where you live. Your membership of VAS is your opportunity to be a part of a vibrant community of artists. You can connect with members online, establish your unique artist's profile to promote your work and share your own news across our website and social media platforms, as well as digital features such as ?? Your profile is a great way to be part of a central showcase for our amazing range of talented artists.

We are passionate about taking VAS forward as a valuable support for our members. We  encourage you to take advantage of the full range of opportunities, benefits and partner discounts that come with being a valued member. These include:

• Free submission to shows including the showcase exhibition at the National Gallery Scotland, RSA building, Edinburgh.

• Entry to prizes and awards which include solo shows are some prominent galleries.

• Residency programmes

• Promotion of your work and events across our newsletter and social media platforms with more than x followers

• Opportunities and networking through our regional shows and members forums

• Participation in events, masterclasses and exhibition previews.

• Partners discounts at a range of shops and cafes

See here for more information on why you should become a member...