Applied Arts Scotland deliver creative and professional development projects that provide opportunities for our Members, for makers living and working in Scotland and overseas. They include creative exchanges and residences, exhibitions and showcases, training and events.
All of our projects are either externally-funded or run on a voluntary basis, with funding secured by Board Members and Advisors on behalf of Applied Arts Scotland. We often work in partnership with other organisations, and to contract.
Brief information on current and past projects is listed below, and you can find out more by clicking the button beside each one.
CURRENT PROJECTS
Closing the Loop
Closing the Loop is a maker-led research group exploring gaps in current materials knowledge and application of sustainability tools and practices in the studio.
Craft Toolkit
Online digital toolkit supporting makers to identify, understand and action the creative and professional development of their craft businesses, and make a start on a simple business plan.
Road to COP26 – Nepal
Supporting Nepal-based businesses with the development of new, exciting and innovative ideas for sustainability that harness nature-based processes, craft-related practices and entrepreneurship to promote positive environmental impacts for Nepal and beyond, strengthening adaptation and resilience to global challenges such as climate change.
In Our Hands – Nepal
The In Our Hands programme supported designers, makers, craftspeople & engineers interested in creative and inclusive climate action to nurture market solutions that use and safeguard Nepal’s rich cultural and natural heritage for sustainable and resilient development.
DISTANCE Project
The DISTANCE (digital immersive technologies and craft engagement) Project offers makers opportunities to collaborate and to share experiences, objects and processes in new and exciting ways through immersive digital technologies.
Crafting Futures
AAS have been a member of the British Council’s Crafting Futures Network since 2017. Through this network we have the opportunity to work on projects with craft makers and communities in a wide variety of countries around the world through which we develop and promote projects for Scottish makers to meet and work with their international counterparts. Find out more about current and past projects.
PAST PROJECTS
| APPLIED | Makers Offerings
AAS first Open Members’ Exhibition celebrated three decades of AAS exhibitions presenting the diverse and exciting array of approaches to making across Scotland today. Custom Lane, Edinburgh 27 May – 10 June 2023.
|MATTER| Earth, Making + Materials
Exhibition of exploratory works by makers in the Closing The Loop research group who share a vision for an environmentally sustainable future. The Barn Arts, 10 September – 11 November 2022.
Meet Make Collaborate exhibition
New individual and collaborative works created by international collaborating makers from Mexico, Thailand, Canada and Scotland taking part in three international residencies, presented in a touring exhibition.
SHIFT
Residency programmes in Iceland and Canada, respectively bringing Icelandic and Scottish, Canadian and Scottish makers and designers together to explore each others’ practices, materials, processes and more, and create new work.
Resilience Programme
A mentoring initiative led by Applied Arts Scotland and Craft Scotland to help makers based in Scotland navigate the particularly challenging circumstances resulting from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Crafting Happiness
Crafting Happiness is an international network bringing together creative practitioners in Scotland and Thailand to highlight the role of craft and making for health and wellbeing.
Shared Modern Apprenticeship Pilot
Exploring apprenticeships in the craft sector, resulting in the Shared Creative Modern Apprenticeship Pilot Programme across Scotland, delivery of information sharing and professional development events, and the creation of resources.
MAKE | Support
In partnership with MAKE Manifesto, supporting makers / craftspeople / designer makers in Scotland to navigate, understand and access financial information during the Covid-19 pandemic via a programme of resources, advice sessions, commissions and micro-grants.
Smart Plastics | Think Plastic
Research and exhibition addressing sustainability and environmental responsibility in materials choice for makers.
Crafting Futures
AAS have been a member of the British Council’s Crafting Futures Network since 2017. Through this network we have the opportunity to work on projects with craft makers and communities in a wide variety of countries around the world through which we develop and promote projects for Scottish makers to meet and work with their international counterparts. Find out more about current and past projects.
Professional development events
A range of professional development events and associated resources spanning finances, branding and promotion.
