Organizer Information
The MacRobert Art Award is funded by the MacRobert Trust and administered by the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA), one of Scotland’s most prestigious institutions dedicated to the promotion and support of contemporary visual arts and architecture. Established in 1826, the RSA plays a central role in nurturing artistic excellence through exhibitions, awards, residencies, and professional development initiatives.
The Academy has a long-standing commitment to supporting artists at different career stages, particularly those whose practices demonstrate strong conceptual and technical development. Through its awards programme, the RSA facilitates opportunities for artists to expand their practice, gain visibility, and engage with wider audiences.
The MacRobert Art Award is part of this broader ecosystem, specifically designed to support painters by providing financial resources that enable sustained research and artistic production.
Title & Description
MacRobert Art Award for Painting 2026
The MacRobert Art Award for Painting 2026 is a significant £20,000 research and development award aimed at supporting mid-career painters in Scotland. The award is designed to provide financial freedom and time for an artist to focus on developing a new body of work over a 12-month period.
Unlike conventional prizes that focus solely on recognition, this award prioritises process, experimentation, and artistic growth. It is particularly intended for artists whose circumstances may have limited their ability to fully dedicate time and resources to their practice.
The selected artist will use the funding to explore new directions in their work, undertake research, and produce paintings that reflect a meaningful progression in their artistic development. The award emphasizes long-term impact, enabling the artist to deepen their engagement with painting as a discipline.
In addition to financial support, the programme includes:
- Ongoing engagement with the Royal Scottish Academy throughout the development period
- A future exhibition opportunity to present selected works produced during the award
- Professional recognition within Scotland’s contemporary art landscape
The award ultimately serves as both a financial grant and a strategic career milestone, allowing the recipient to consolidate their position as a mid-career artist.
Categories
- Painting
- Visual Art
- Fine Art
Eligibility
- Must be painters with a primary focus on fine art painting
- Must be at least 10 years post-art school or demonstrate equivalent professional experience
- Must be born in Scotland or currently living in Scotland (minimum 3 consecutive years)
- Must demonstrate a sustained and serious artistic practice
- Open to mid-career artists (not emerging or student-level applicants)
Program Benefits & Awards
- £20,000 financial award to support research and artistic production
- Funding can be used for:
- Studio time
- Research and development
- Travel and living costs that enable production
- Opportunity to develop a new body of work over 12 months
- Exhibition opportunity at the Royal Scottish Academy (group exhibition with other award recipients)
- Ongoing professional dialogue and evaluation with RSA
- Potential acquisition opportunity (MacRobert Trust holds first refusal on resulting works)
- Increased visibility within the UK art sector
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Artist statement (max 100 words)
- Up to 5 key artistic achievements (max 150 words)
- Summary of post-school education
- 25-word summary of proposed research and production
- Statement on how the award will impact artistic development (max 100 words)
- Project proposal (max 300 words) outlining intended research and outcomes
- CV
- Budget plan detailing the use of funds
- Up to 6 high-quality images of previous work
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 26 April 2026
- Shortlisted Artist Presentations: 22 June 2026
- Winner Announcement: Summer 2026
- Project Duration: 12 months (to be completed by the end of 2027)
- Final Report Submission: Within 6 weeks after completion
Location
Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, Scotland
Additional Details
- The award prioritises artistic development over immediate output, focusing on long-term practice growth
- Funds must be used directly to support painting production (not for capital investments such as equipment or framing)
- The RSA maintains regular contact with the award recipient throughout the project
- A final evaluation report (including images) is required after completion
- Copyright remains with the artist, though RSA retains rights for documentation and promotional use
- The selection process is highly competitive and based on artistic merit, feasibility, and impact
- Shortlisted artists must present their proposal in person (or as required)