Shetland Arts Commissioning Fund 2025/26

These commissions are for new and emerging artists. We consider an emerging artist to be someone who has not previously received a commission from us, who can clearly explain why they identify as emerging, and how this commission will support their development.

This round has been specifically created to ensure that those newer to the arts are not competing with more established artists. It is also to encourage this demographic of artists to apply. This commissioning pot has a focus of what you as an artist need to continue your practice, so it could be used for research and developmental time, provide access to opportunities or give you chance to develop a scratch idea.

This award has an increased amount of mentorship and supports available, and applicants will receive 3 meetings with our Creative Project Manager, Kathryn Gordon, during the award timescale.

Example: A new artist develops a small experimental film exploring local landscapes, using the commission to fund research, equipment rental, time to develop their practice and create the short film.

These commissions are for artists who wish to deliver participatory projects. These can be within a Shetland Arts building or elsewhere in Shetland.

These commissions have a focus on the process of bringing people together to participate in the arts, however some projects may also have a performance or product outcome.

Example: “Community Story Quilt” - An artist-led workshop series where local residents contribute personal stories and artwork to create a large collaborative quilt displayed in a Shetland Arts venue, celebrating community identity and connection. This is a participatory activity that has a joint feature which is showcased, developing it from regular workshops.

These commissions are for artists to have an opportunity to create work, and if applicable, present it. We will always ask for at least an informal sharing for these commissions, however if you believe you’ll be ready for full presentation, your commission could also include a formal presentation of the work.

For this, we want to understand what concept you wish to explore and how you wish to do so. We will need a clear plan of activity, letting us know who you will work with and why, where and how the project will be delivered.

We’re asking what your process will be and what your expected outcome is, although we understand the process will influence the outcome. Your expected outcome may be to have 30 minutes of a performance, that can then be further developed for onward work, or it may be to have an album recorded with a performance.

Example: A composer creates a new music piece inspired by Shetland’s folklore, records it and performs it with audience Q&A. This could be a solo artist or a band.

This fund is developmental, and its intention is to support an artist to further their practice, attend a training course or participate in a developmental opportunity. You will be asked to reflect upon your experience, which can be done via sharing at an Artist Gathering, writing a blog post or a meeting with our Creative Project Manager, Kathyrn Gordon.

This could be training or learning, such as professional courses, workshops or peer-to-peer learning. It might also include mentoring and skills development, like working with a mentor or developing new skills to support your creative growth. Additionally, participating in residencies that support your creative and professional development.

Example: An artist attends a professional development workshop on digital storytelling, then shares their learning through a blog post and a presentation at an Artist Gathering.

These commissions will specifically focus on product development that can then be sold in Shetland Arts retail spaces.

This commission will provide artists and makers with development funding to create prototypes for new products.

Example: An artist develops and prototypes a new line of Shetland-inspired ceramics, aiming to produce products suitable for sale in Shetland Arts retail spaces.

This bursary is being offered in partnership with Playwrights' Studio Scotland.

Playwrights’ Studio Scotland will come to Shetland to deliver 1 workshop on Playwrighting, specifically focusing on the devising of creating new writing.

This commission will include the same in-kind offer as others (space and technical support), however the mentoring for it will be delivered by Playwright Studio Scotland, who will cover half of the bursary fee.

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In-Kind Support

Each commission will receive in-kind support from Shetland Arts. Any support you expect will be needed should be outlined in your application, so that we can agree it to knowing we have capacity to do so.

Examples of support we can provide are:

• Recording in the recording studio
• Mentoring from Project Manager (please note that this is not project management)
• Studio and rehearsal space
• Marketing support, such as resharing social media posts or poster creation support
• Technical support including sound and AV for show delivery
• Contractual support, where appropriate we can advise for your project freelance contracting

Freelance/self-employed artists and creative practitioners who:

• Are at least 18 years old;
• Currently live in, or are able to demonstrate a strong connection to, Shetland.

You must have a UK bank account in your legal name or business name, which must be the same name you apply under. Please ensure the name on your funding application matches the name on your bank account, as we cannot pay into an account with a different name. We are keen to get a wide range of applications from emerging and established artists.

This funding can be used for the development of artists and creation of work (both participatory and professional) with strong connection to Shetland.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Creative projects
• Performances
• Exhibitions
• Participatory projects and workshops
• Training or Development
• Research

Please look at the criteria of each commissioning type to ensure that you are applying for the one that best suits your project idea and experience.

Applications are scored and discussed by a panel of four, including two Shetland Arts staff and two independent practitioners.

Applications are scored out of 5 against the following criteria:

• Overall clarity of proposal, including expected outcome
• Demonstrated funding will have a positive impact on long-term development, which would be difficult to achieve without financial support
• Deliverability of proposal including timeframe and relevant experience
• Demonstrates a clear plan of proposed activity that shows how funds might be used

Shetland Arts designs some of its program to deliver against three themes relevant to our location and context. Though not required, alignment with one of these themes will be considered if the fund is over subscribed:

• Technology: How does technology influence the way we live? Key areas: artificial intelligence, social media, creative software and globalised distribution, the space industry
• Environment: How do environmental issues affect us? Key areas: the industrialisation of the landscape, the extraction economy, climate change
• Place: How does our sense of place shape our culture? Key areas: isolated yet central and connected, collectives within communities, our self-perceptions

We would encourage you to apply for only one strand of the commissions as it is highly unlikely you will get selected for more than one. We are expecting a high level of applications.