Funding opportunities
DG Unlimited is a membership organisation, and one of the most vital elements of sustaining a creative practice is trying to ensure stable funding to support professional self development, new projects or collabroations.
You can find current funding opportunities from DG Unlimited and our funding partners here. Please check this page regularly, we will update it as and when relevant funds become available. Please also let us know if you are aware of a great funding opportunity your fellow members would be interested in.
VACMA FUnding
VACMA Scotland: Grants for Artists & Makers Across Scotland
Bursaries of £500 and £1000 now available
• Autumn deadline: 5pm, 20 October 2026
• Winter deadline: 5pm, 2 February 2027
Visual artists and craft makers across Scotland are invited to apply for grants of up to £1000 to support their creative practice, develop new skills and take the next step in their professional journey.
This funding is made possible by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland, working in partnership with 16 Visual Artist and Craft Maker Awards (VACMA) schemes covering 23 local authority areas. The schemes are delivered by a network of local authorities and arts organisations across the country.
VACMA can support a wide range of activities, from mentoring and skills development to exploring new ideas, experimenting with sustainable and renewable materials, purchasing essential equipment and undertaking residencies that contribute to an artist’s creative development.
The programme offers fixed bursaries of £500 and £1000. Artists and makers are encouraged to apply for the level that best suits their proposed activity.
Expand Horizons
Application Guidelines
Please read these guidelines carefully before applying.
Expand Horizons is DG Unlimited’s rolling award for creative excellence. (It replaces the previous Innovate, Create, Cultivate Award Fund.) The Awards are currently funded by DG Unlimited, supported in part by our partners Dumfries and Galloway Council.
Expand Horizons are awards of up to £500 for creatives who are DG Unlimited Members. Specifically:
1. Young creatives from 11 – 18 years old. (Rising Star Members)
2. Emerging creatives or or students 18+ (Comet Members)
3. Established practitioners or freelancers of any age working in the creative sector in Dumfries and Galloway (Meteor Members)
Applicants can be engaged in any creative practice but must be able to demonstrate exceptional talent in their chosen creative area and a clear commitment to continuing and improving their creative practice. Applicants must be living and based in Dumfries and Galloway postcode areas.
CREATIVE SCOTLAND
FUNDING
Funding for creative sector individuals and organisations is one of Creative Scotland’s key roles, supporting the wide range of activity initiated by organisations, artists, writers, producers and other creative practitioners in Scotland.
There are have separate strands for organisations and individuals, so they are not in competition with each other for funds. These strands have separate budgets and applications are considered by separate panels.
PLEASE NOTE THE FORM AND GUIDELINES FOR CREATIVE SCOTLAND FUNDING HAS BEEN UPDATED. THE APPLICATION FORM IS NOW AN ONLINE FORM.
DGC Events & Festivals Fund
The above fund has been re-opened providing another valuable window for event organisares to apply for funding. Funding is available for events that attract visitors to the region, generate economic benefits and support the aims of the Dumfries and Galloway Events Strategy 2023 to 2027.
Applications are open from 11 September 2026.
The deadline for applications is 5pm on Sunday 20 September 2026