Craft makers in the Outer Hebrides are being given a helping hand with the launch of a grant scheme for the second year in a row.
The awards scheme is being run by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, in partnership with Creative Scotland, in an aim to support artists and craft makers based in the region.
Grants of between £500 and £1,500 will be given out for a range of activities, including research and development costs for new projects; travel and subsistence to events such as a major conference, exhibition or craft fair; advancing skills by attending a master-class; and the purchase of materials/ equipment to develop new work for market or exhibition.
Councillor Archie Campbell, chair of the sustainable development committee at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said: “I’m delighted that this awards scheme, which is being run in the Outer Hebrides for the second time, can offer this service to individual visual artists and craft makers.
“The aim is to assist them to develop and extend their own professional visual art or craft practice. The application process is straightforward, and grants of between, £500 – £1500 are available.”
Those to have benefited from the previous round of grants included John Maher, from Harris, who used the money to purchase equipment to help make a collection of unique photographs of the Pentland Road sheilings, lit with artificial lights. North Uist based artist Margaret Maclellan bought equipment and made a series of delicate prints using photo-sensitive polymer resist techniques.