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Support Scotland’s Art Community to Thrive

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Scottish Contemporary Art Network

LXCL:Contemporary visual art has the power to transform lives and open minds, and we need it now more than ever.&nbsp;&nbsp; SCAN brings Scotland’s art community together, to build mutual values and to create a diverse, fair, and sustainable future.&nbsp;&nbsp; With your support, we can grow our collective, independent voice, ensuring that we continue to stand up for the cultural, social and economic value of contemporary art in Scotland – and for the people who create it.

Aims and objectives, risk management, governance and board, decision making, action planning and anticipating outcomes &ndash; there is lots to consider when developing a business plan. For this extended SCAN Support training session we will be joined by Naomi Chapman, Business Strategy Director of <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.achates.org.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Achates</a> who will cover: &nbsp;<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Exploring different business and operating models for the cultural sector and charities</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">What do both look like for a cultural sector charity?&nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Where are our current business models under strain? What can we do about it?&nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">How can we balance organisation purpose and financial resilience?&nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Deciding the route forwards - strategic goals, targets, finances and fundraising&nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Translating into a business plan / implementation plan including governance, risk management, staffing&nbsp;</li></ul>This session is suitable for both those new to business planning and also those looking to develop their existing plans.&nbsp;&nbsp;Attendees will also receive a free one-month trial of Achates Community so that they can access related resources/templates to take forward the content in practice.&nbsp; This online talk will take place via Zoom. Once you have booked your place, you will receive a link to attend. About Achates Achates is a leading cultural consultancy taking a purpose-led, audience-informed approach. Their work spans: strategy and business planning, earned and contributed income generation and recruitment and organisational change. <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.achates.org.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Find out more here.</a> Not a SCAN member yet? Tickets for all SCAN Support sessions are free for SCAN members and costs vary for non-members.&nbsp; Planning on attending more than one SCAN Support session? SCAN membership costs less than tickets for multiple events. &nbsp;&nbsp;<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">If you are an individual artist on a low income, or an unfunded/voluntary collective, you can join SCAN for &pound;25 per year.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">If you are a funded organisation (e.g. through Creative Scotland multi-year funding), you can join SCAN from &pound;64 per year &ndash; still cheaper than the cost of one session ticket! &nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">SCAN members also benefit from a year-round programme of tailored events, training, advocacy and networking opportunities. &nbsp;</li></ul>To join SCAN from &pound;25 per year, visit our website <a fr-original-style="" href="https://sca-net.org/network/join/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;

SCAN Support - Business Planning - an interactive training session with Achates

SCAN&rsquo;s Annual General Meeting (AGM) is an opportunity for our members to hear about last year&#39;s activity and finances, vote on Board appointments, and hear from a specially selected guest speaker. &nbsp; This year&rsquo;s AGM will be held online via Zoom on Tuesday 3 November at 11am-12:30pm. It will include updates from our team and Chair. After formal business, we will be joined by our keynote speaker Steven Grainger, a Glasgow-based artist and researcher whose practice engages with ideas of visibility, invisibility, authorship and queer history. Steven is a lecturer in Contemporary Art Practice at City of Glasgow College, and is currently working on a PhD exploring art made by gay men in Glasgow in the 1980s and 1990s. This year, Steven was invited to design the public programme accompanying the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt at Tramway, Glasgow. This incredible programme brought together artists, archivists and activists &ndash; including founding members of the Edinburgh chapter of activist group ACT UP, LGBT heritage organisation OurStory Scotland, and Cleve Jones, who conceived the original AIDS Memorial Quilt in San Francisco in 1985. John Binnie restaged his 1987 play Killing Me Softly, about HIV and AIDS, with original cast members, and a party at &lsquo;the Vic&rsquo; at Glasgow School of Art Students Association raised money to support the future work of the UK AIDS Quilt Partnership. As our keynote speaker, Steven will share his experience of designing a programme that encompassed education, emotion, protest, remembrance and, ultimately, celebration.&nbsp;How the SCAN AGM works? All SCAN members are invited to attend the AGM. After registering for a free ticket, you will be sent a link to all the relevant documents for the event including the agenda, previous AGM minutes, and SCAN&rsquo;s latest accounts.&nbsp; Haven&rsquo;t been to a SCAN AGM before?&nbsp;Here is <a fr-original-style="" href="https://sca-net.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/A-Guide-for-Attending-SCANs-AGM.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">a short guide to the event&rsquo;s structure and processes</a> to help you prepare.&nbsp; Organisations,&nbsp;don&rsquo;t forget that any of your named representatives can attend and vote on your behalf.&nbsp; If you have something you would like to raise for discussion at the AGM or general AGM queries, you can email SCAN Director, Veronique AA Lapeyre directly at <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scan-agm-2025-tickets-1781840495889?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">veronique@sca-net.org</a> by Friday 16 October 2026. &nbsp; Access&nbsp;This is an online event that will be live captioned by Otter.ai and include a 10-minute screen break at the halfway point. Please let us know in advance if you have any further access requirements by emailing Lydia Honeybone at programme@sca-net.org.&nbsp;&nbsp;

SCAN AGM 2026

Are you looking for support to help people in your organisation and community access bikes and active travel? The <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.cyclinguk.org/scotland" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Cycling UK Cycle Access Fund</a> is open to a wide range of organisations and provides a variety of opportunities for people to access bikes in an affordable, easy, and convenient way, by providing grants for bikes and equipment.&nbsp;Luke Collins, Senior Project Officer for the Cycle Access Fund will share information on how SCAN members can get involved with and benefit from the fund and talk more about how organisations can get involved in active travel. We&#39;ll also share some case studies from SCAN members (including ourselves) about how being part of the scheme and being able to offer an e-cargo bike service has benefitted them, their participants and their work. This online talk will take place via Zoom. Once you have booked your place, you will receive a link to attend.

SCAN Support - Active Travel and the Cycle Access Fund with Cycling UK

Join Cleo Goodman, co-founder of <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.basicincomeconversation.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Basic Income Conversation</a>, to explore the growing movement for an unconditional basic income for artists and what recent developments in Scotland could mean for the creative sector.&nbsp;Learn about the Scottish Government&#39;s commitment to a UBI pilot, hear about the latest advocacy and research, discover the UBI Conversations Toolkit, and find out how SCAN members can help shape the future of this work.&nbsp;This is an opportunity to better understand one of the most significant policy ideas affecting artists today&mdash;and how you can be part of the conversation.&nbsp; This online talk will take place via Zoom. Once you have booked your place, you will receive a link to attend.

SCAN Support - Universal Basic Income for Artists – Latest in Campaigning

Are you an international artist currently working in Scotland with ambitions to stay and develop your practice here long-term? SCAN invites you to a dedicated, hands-on workshop designed for artists who are planning on or considering applying for the Global Talent Visa (Visual Arts focused). Navigating the visa process can feel overwhelming, so this session is specifically tailored to demystify the most critical phase: Stage 1 &ndash; Endorsement. Hosted by Christian Noelle Charles, Erika Silverman,&nbsp;and Shalmali Shetty, this workshop provides expert guidance on how to curate, structure, and present your creative evidence effectively.&nbsp;Our hosts will show you how to build a compelling artistic portfolio that can support your application to the Global Talent Visa. What will we cover?<ul fr-original-style="text-align: start;" style="text-align: start; box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Endorsement Stage: Clear, actionable advice on preparing your application to meet the visa endorsement criteria.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Preparing your Portfolio: How to select and present your work to highlight your artistic practice and professional trajectory.</li></ul>Who is this for?International freelance artists, curators, and creative practitioners primarily based in Scotland who are looking to secure their long-term practice through the Global Talent Visa route.&nbsp;Disclaimer&nbsp;This workshop is provided by SCAN for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, immigration, financial, employment, or professional advice. The content is intended to support participants in understanding how to prepare and organise materials that may be relevant to a visa support portfolio or application process.&nbsp; UK immigration rules and Home Office requirements can change frequently and vary depending on individual circumstances. Participants are strongly encouraged to seek independent advice from a qualified immigration solicitor, OISC-regulated adviser, or other appropriately authorised professional before relying on any information provided during the workshop or submitting an application.&nbsp; Attendance at this workshop does not create a client, adviser, or legal representative relationship with the charity, its staff, facilitators, or partner organisations. The charity cannot guarantee any visa outcome, endorsement, sponsorship, or approval by the UK Home Office or any other authority.&nbsp; To the fullest extent permitted by law, the charity accepts no liability for any loss, damage, or decisions made as a result of reliance on the workshop content or related materials.&nbsp;

SCAN Global Talent Visa Portfolio Workshop

Led by artists Christian Noelle Charles and Erika Silverman, this two-part session will cover the general legal requirements when applying for visas and the regular pitfalls to be aware of.&nbsp; Part 1: Individuals, 10am&ndash;12pm&nbsp;Catered to artist applicants focusing primarily on the Global Talent and Tier 5: Creative Worker Visa. This session will give applicants the confidence to apply themselves while giving organisations insight into ways to support.&nbsp; Part 2: Organisations, 1&ndash;2:30pmSupporting organisations that sponsor artists or are interested in sponsoring. This is a great opportunity to network with other creative organisations and offer peer-led support.&nbsp; These sessions will cover general information and cannot offer individual legal advice or support for specific applications. Both artists and organisations are invited and encouraged to sit in on both sessions if interested to learn and better understand the system.&nbsp; Attendees will receive Zoom links to both sessions and can join both or either. There will be ample opportunity to ask questions throughout.&nbsp; Also - look out for SCAN&#39;s in person&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://sca-net.org/event/scan-global-talent-visa-portfolio-workshop/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Global Talent Visa Portfolio Workshop</a> coming up on 1st July

SCAN Online Visa Information Session

Scottish Contemporary Art Network (SCAN)&#39;s flagship conference Summit comes to Glasgow this year, with a focus on human rights and the arts. SCAN Summit 2026: Take Liberty is held ahead of a new Human Rights Bill, due to be advanced in Scottish Parliament in May 2026. If the bill is enshrined into Scots Law, the rights of all people in Scotland to participate in a cultural life will become enforceable.&nbsp; At SCAN Summit 2026: Take Liberty, invited artists, academics, lawmakers and cultural workers from across disciplines will look at this new legislation and our intersecting human rights. A series of talks, activities and provocations will consider the implications of embedding the proposed new legal framework, and what it will mean for both contemporary art practice and civic life.&nbsp; Speakers:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Dr Elaine Webster, Programme Leader in Human Rights Law at Strathclyde University</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Helen Trew, cultural producer and CEO of Art27 Scotland</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Prof. Ross Birrell, researcher and Professor in Contemporary Art Practice &amp; Critical Theory at The Glasgow School of Art</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Naeem Mohaiemen, artist and author</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Dr Nat Raha, poet, activist-scholar and Lecturer in Fine Art Critical Studies at The Glasgow School of Art</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">So Mayer, writer, organiser and curator</li></ul>Roundtables:&nbsp; SCAN Summit will also feature a series of facilitated roundtable discussions, expanding on human rights topics including class, Universal Basic Income for Artists, prisoners&rsquo; rights, spatial justice and more. &nbsp; Travel bursaries We have a number of travel bursaries available for those who would otherwise not be able to attend SCAN Summit. To apply, please email shireen@sca-net.org with a brief note of your circumstances and details of your travel costs by 2 June. Priority will be given to SCAN members. &nbsp; In line with our net zero commitments, bursaries will only be issued for travel by public transport unless travel by car is required for access reasons, e.g. disability.&nbsp;

SCAN Summit 2026: Take Liberty – the right to participate in a cultural life

Glasgow International Festival of Contemporary Art (GI) and&nbsp;Scottish Contemporary Art Network (SCAN) warmly invite you to meet the International Curators who are visiting GI as part of a&nbsp;British Council Delegation to the 2026 festival. This morning-long event at The Old Fruitmarket is for artists, arts organisations and arts workers from across Scotland, and will be of particular interest to curators, programmers and producers. This is a convivial, informal space to make connections and foster future collaborations with the visiting delegates: Filly Gueye (Senegal)Ruha Fifita (Australia)Yasmin Huleileh (Palestine)Ghazala Raees (Pakistan)Lk Rigor (Philippines)Ane Tonga (New Zealand)Ksenia Malykh (Ukraine)Rebecca Yeoh (Malaysia)Kevser G&uuml;ler (Turkey) Guests will hear from each of the delegates, followed by informally facilitated round tables and opportunities for networking and conversations. Tea and coffee will be available on arrival, and a buffet lunch will be served later.

Meet the International Curators

Your donation sustains SCAN&rsquo;s year-round programme of projects, events, advocacy, and research. You help bring artists, independent curators and arts organisations together, supporting learning and collaboration that is open and future-facing.&nbsp; Every contribution supports:&nbsp;<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">SCAN&rsquo;s Member Programme that connects and supports the visual arts community through learning and development opportunities, and peer-networks.&nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Advocacy work that champions contemporary art as essential to Scottish lives and gives artists and arts organisation&rsquo;s a voice.&nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Cross-sector Dialogue and Collaboration through SCAN&rsquo;s event programme including the Summit, Gatherings and Common Good talks. &nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Bursaries and Access Support&nbsp;to platform underrepresented voices in national consultations and policy research, and support access to events.&nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Development of Resources and Research that build an inclusive art community&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;If you are a UK taxpayer, you can choose to increase the value of your donation through <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.gov.uk/donating-to-charity/gift-aid" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Gift Aid</a>. SCAN can claim tax relief equal to 25% of your donation at no extra cost to you.

Your donation sustains SCAN’s year-round programme of projects, events, advocacy, and research. You help bring artists, independent curators and arts organisations together, supporting learning and collaboration that is open and future-facing. Every contribution supports: SCAN’s Member Programme that connects and supports the visual arts community through learning and development opportunities, and peer-networks. Advocacy work that champions contemporary art as essential to Scottish lives and gives artists and arts organisation’s a voice. Cross-sector Dialogue and Collaboration through SCAN’s event programme including the Summit, Gatherings and Common Good talks. Bursaries and Access Support to platform underrepresented voices in national consultations and policy research, and support access to events. Development of Resources and Research that build an inclusive art community If you are a UK taxpayer, you can choose to increase the value of your donation through Gift Aid. SCAN can claim tax relief equal to 25% of your donation at no extra cost to you.

JOIN US FOR THE LAUNCH OF LEY LINES REPORT! Since 2020, SCAN has mapped, connected with, and listened deeply to the creative community across the Highlands. This work has laid the foundations for&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://sca-net.org/project/ley-lines/" id="isPasted" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Ley Lines</a>, a new project developed in 2025 specifically for the region. We&rsquo;re delighted to announce that the first stage of&nbsp;Ley Lines will launch this November: a comprehensive report designed to establish a baseline for the Highlands&rsquo; creative landscape. Our report sets out the context of the Highlands, mapping current activity and identifying gaps in support. Extensive research is supported by individual and organisational case studies examining how artist-led groups connect across geographic distances, the role of tourism, and how collaborative approaches are balancing community engagement with wider visibility. There will be refreshments, music and celebration! You will also be able to take away a specially designed print version of the report, designed by Mark Faulkner and printed by the Isle of Riso. Travel Bursaries Available SCAN have a number of travel bursaries available for those who would otherwise not be able to attend the Ley Lines Launch event in Inverness.&nbsp; To apply, please&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=CGcdCEsUG0-biPkGM5WKmyBjyDemA9NPmwAtawRAhhNUMTlWUzhJTFQ1TTdSM1dQSVFURkZDN1dRNi4u" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">fill out this form</a> and details of your travel costs by 5pm, Monday 16 November. Priority will be given to SCAN members. If you are successful, we will confirm your bursary within 10 working days.&nbsp; In line with our net zero commitments, and&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://sca-net.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Rural-Travel-Policy.pdf" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Rural Travel Policy</a>, we would prefer bursaries were allocated for travel by public transport, unless travel by car is required for either access reasons or for areas of Scotland not accessible by public transport. Any questions about the event or the travel bursaries, please contact Shireen Taylor, Finance and Development Lead, <a fr-original-style="" href="mailto:shireen@sca-net.org?subject=Ley%20Lines%20-%20Travel%20Bursary" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">shireen@sca-net.org</a>. We very much hope to see you there.

Scottish Contemporary Art Network

Scottish Contemporary Art Network

Scottish Contemporary Art Network

Upcoming events

Events

Get your tickets

Ley Lines Report Launch

Donate to our cause

Donate now

Support Scotland’s Art Community to Thrive

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Scottish Contemporary Art Network

Upcoming events

Events

Get your tickets

Ley Lines Report Launch

Donate to our cause

Donate now

Support Scotland’s Art Community to Thrive

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Scottish Contemporary Art Network