Visual Arts Scotland SCIO (VAS) is a leading platform for national and international contemporary artists.

The society was originally founded in 1924 as an organisation for women artists and since 1990 has championed all craftspeople, makers, designers and applied arts practitioners. Today, our membership is composed of “Artists” and “Makers” celebrating the best in innovative contemporary visual arts. The conversation between disciplines – to encourage challenging and ambitious ideas – is at the heart of Visual Arts Scotland’s mission.

VAS has a vibrant, active and participatory membership of over 1,400 practising artists. The society provides a platform to support and connect them, and to showcase their work. Members and non-members alike are welcome to submit work for our prestigious Annual Exhibition.

Our open calls offer the opportunity for emerging and established practitioners to showcase new and unseen work, to engage with a wider audience, to generate debate, and to test and exhibit innovative work within the context of Scottish and international culture.

Our membership categories cater for artists at all stages in their careers, whether new graduates, emerging artists or established practitioners. All are welcome to contribute to the continuing development of Visual Arts Scotland.