The Scottish Arts Council's Visual Arts Strategy 2002-2007 set out to ensure that Scotland would be recognised nationally and internationally as a centre of excellence in and for the visual arts by: (i) maintaining and developing exhibition spaces, studios and production facilities achieving the highest standards for artists and audiences; (ii) promoting the strength and diversity of artists in Scotland and supporting their creative and professional development; (iii) growing the number and range of audiences for contemporary art across Scotland; (iv) supporting challenging and sustainable education programmes, engaging people with the visual arts throughout their lives; (v) supporting public collections with the purchase and presentation of quality, contemporary art; and (vi) developing public interest in buying original works of art.

The Scottish Arts Council Corporate Plan identifies priorities for 2007-2009. The Visual Arts Department will work within these to maintain and develop Scotland as a centre of excellence in and for the visual arts.

1 Increase the scope and quality of support for artists - the Visual Arts Department has a strong track record of supporting artists through grants, awards and policy initiatives. To maintain and develop this work it will: (i) increase the number and range of opportunities for artists at all stages of their career; (ii) continue to devolve artists’ support schemes to partners across Scotland; (iii) establish new support for artists’ publishing and distribution; (iv) improve our promotion of artists’ work; (v) deliver a co-ordinated approach to professional development for artists and curators; (vi) establish a fund to support artist-led groups and collectives; (vii) continue to promote international working from major showcases such as Scotland and Venice through to individual exchange and exhibition opportunities; (viii) develop policies to help artists reap benefits from market trends and support the development of the market for contemporary work in and from Scotland; (ix) support a purchasing plan that helps museum curators to acquire contemporary art and to continue to develop their knowledge and expertise; and (x) enable a growing number of the public to buy contemporary art.

2 Secure the foundation of Scotland’s artistic development - the Scottish Arts Council has identified 13 Foundation Organisations that will have a key role to create and present work of the highest quality, nationally and internationally. It will use its Quality Framework to help these organisations to deliver ambitious programmes backed up by robust managerial and financial planning. They are: An Tuireann Arts Centre, a gallery showing local, national and international artists on the Isle of Skye; Fife Contemporary Art and Craft, a new agency supporting artists and audiences in Fife; Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA), a flagship venue showcasing work of national and international significance; Artlink, Edinburgh and the Lothians – an arts organisation breaking new ground in social inclusion, collaboration and participation; Project Ability in Glasgow – a recognised centre creating access to the visual arts for those with learning disabilities or mental health needs; Fruitmarket Gallery – a flagship venue showcasing work of national and international significance; Glasgow Print Studio – a centre of excellence for printmaking and production facilities for artists; Glasgow Sculpture Studios – a centre of excellence for sculpture and production facilities for artist; Peacock Visual Arts in Aberdeen – an important centre for participation and production in print, photography, film, video and digital media; Pier Arts Centre in Orkney – an internationally important art collection and venue for contemporary art; Street Level Photoworks – a centre of excellence for photography and for participation; Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum and Arts Centre in Lochmaddy, North Uist – an arts centre supporting local and nationally significant work with a focus on the environment; and Travelling Gallery – a unique service taking high-quality exhibitions to communities across the country.

3 Create flexibility to support the new and innovative - the Scottish Arts Council wishes to create an environment where the new and the innovative can flourish, and have set up a pool of project and programme funding, which will allow more flexible investment. Eleven visual arts organisations will benefit from this funding in 2007/08. They will provide opportunities for artists and others to make work and for the public to engage with new work through exhibitions and events.

4 Create opportunities for participation in the arts - the Scottish Arts Council's plans will build on previous work and include: (i) supporting a co-ordinated approach to audience development across the visual arts in Edinburgh; (ii) funding the research and development of a co-ordinated approach to audience development across the Trongate 103 and Briggait projects, Glasgow; (iii) supporting, with engage, the development of pilot projects established to address identified barriers to engaging with contemporary visual arts; (v) maintaining support to the engage network of educators and buying into appropriate national and international events and research initiatives; (vi) developing support for Room 13 as an exemplar project for the visual arts in education; (vii) ensuring that Foundation Organisations maintain a developmental approach to growing audiences and engaging them in their programmes.

5 Build a culture of co-operation with partners and the arts community - the Scottish Arts Council's plans will develop previous work in this area including: (i) encouraging collaboration across venues and increasing opportunities for co-production and touring; (ii) providing more opportunities for artists and curators to network, share skills and build knowledge and expertise.

6 Make the transition to Creative Scotland - the formal process of merging the Scottish Arts Council's roles and responsibilities with those of Scottish Screen began in January 2007, with the formation of a new board, whose members were drawn from the two existing bodies. Scottish Arts Council staff look forward to working with the new board to achieve a smooth transition into Creative Scotland. Together they will continue to develop the vision for the new organisation.

The visual arts budget for 2007/08 is £5.7 million including £2.8 million committed to 13 Foundation Organisations.

Details of all Scottish Arts Council funding and awards schemes, including current deadlines and applications forms, can be downloaded from the Scottish Arts Council website.