Open Call: Emerging Artist in Socially Engaged Practice 2026/7

Mount Stuart Trust’s Visual Arts Programme has an international reputation, working with established artists since 2001. This opportunity for emerging artists provides the successful applicant with time, space and support to explore their practice in relation to communities on the Isle of Bute.

As part of our commitment to supporting artists from diverse backgrounds we encourage applications from BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and disabled artists. Any artist that identifies in their application as a member of any of these groups and fits the eligibility criteria will automatically be shortlisted.

Length of residency: 4-8 weeks.

Date: January-February 2027.

Accommodation: available, potentially on a hybrid basis.

Fee: £693 per week.

To be eligible you should;

• Be based in Scotland or have attended a Scottish Art School
• Have graduated within the last five years. Or if unable to attend art school demonstrate a sustained commitment to art practice development over 3-5 years
• Demonstrate a genuine commitment to socially engaged practice
• Commit to spending time with a community or communities on Bute

An invited panel, in conjunction with Mount Stuart Trust, will select the successful candidate.

Applications are now invited and must include the following:

• CV, including two referees
• Letter of application demonstrating your commitment to and experience of socially engaged practice. And an outline of how you might approach working on Bute and any particular sector you would hope to engage with
• 6 images of work
• Our completed Equality & Diversity monitoring form (available on request by email or to download from our website here.)

Applications to be submitted to: 

Morven Gregor, Curator of Contemporary and Learning, Mount Stuart Trust, Mount Stuart, Isle of Bute, PA20 9LR or email morven@mountstuart.com  

Deadline for applications: 6 November 2026

Successful candidate announced: December 2026