RSA Residencies for Scotland is an artist-led scheme which provides valuable research and residency opportunities for artists. It forges important networks with centres of artistic excellence across Scotland, ranging from traditional residency venues to specialised production facilities.
Open to visual artists at all stages of their careers, the emphasis is on enabling a period of research, development and production, as well as on the acquisition and exchange of new skills and experiences. Artists can apply for funds of up to £5,000 and are responsible for managing their own residency, in discussion with the partner venue.
Our partner venues all have a long history of offering quality development to, and presentation opportunities for, contemporary artists. For many their expertise and longevity has formed the backbone of artist practice in Scotland for decades. Exhibition opportunities may be available at the RSA or through links with the partner venues and their own exhibition facilities or networks.
Aqsa Arif, The Jewels of Yesterday (detail), 2023, digital print on cotton satin
The RSA is an independently funded institution whose purpose is to promote and support the visual arts in Scotland. The Residencies for Scotland programme is administered and funded by us, with kind support from the The Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust and the W. Gordon Smith & Jay Gordonsmith Trust. Launched in 2009, the project is now offered on a biennial basis.
Aims of the residency programme:
- To enable artists a period of research, development and production.
- To reinforce links with centres of excellence across Scotland.
- To provide access to technical expertise and assistance to learn new skills and techniques.
- To enable the exchange of ideas and practice.
Entry Conditions
- Artists must have been born OR are currently living in Scotland, and have been for at least 3 years consecutively.
- Artists should no longer be in full-time education at the time of applying.
- Artists may apply for funds of up to £5,000.
- An additional artist fee of up to 10% of the requested budget will be awarded by the RSA onto the final fund.
- Duration of residencies are flexible but must be completed before the end of 2025.
- Artists are responsible for budgeting all aspects of the residency (accommodation, materials, venue costs, travel, workshop use, etc).
- The artist will be responsible for the structure and day-to-day management of their award, in agreement with the residency venue.
- The overall project will be administered and financial aspects monitored by the RSA.
- Artists will need to check for any restrictions or additional costs that may apply to each residency venue before completing the application. A full list of participating venues and residency guidelines can be found on our below.
How to apply
- Artists must register and submit their applications online via Submittable using the link below.
- Click here to view the full Applicant Guidelines. It is vital to read this in full before applying.
- Click here to view a PDF of the Residency Venue Information. You can also scroll down to view the same information on our individual Residency Venue pages below. You should use this information to select your residency venue and put together your budget.
- Click here to view our Frequently Asked Questions. Please look at this before contacting us as your question may be answered here.
Application deadline: Sunday 14 January 2024, 5pm.
Apply online
