Luminate is Scotland's creative ageing organisation.

We are delighted to announce a new round of small bursaries available for artists aged 50 or over who are in the early stages of a new artistic career.   

The bursaries are open to artists working in all artforms and media, who have recently embarked on a new artistic career, including: 

• those who have come new to their arts practice in recent years;

• those who trained at a young age and have returned to their practice later in life;  

• those who have worked in the arts in different roles or in a different area of practice, and are now changing direction. 

 Applicants must be resident in Scotland, though funded activity can take place anywhere.

Each bursary awarded will be between £500 – £1,000, and can be used to support your artistic development, to learn new skills, undertake mentoring, coaching or professional training, or travel to build networks or attend conferences. These are only examples, and there may be other areas you’d like to explore. 

There is a total fund of £10,000. At least one bursary will be awarded to an artist from an ethnically diverse background. All funded activity must be complete within 8 months of the bursary being awarded.

Interested?

Please read our Guidance for Applicants and apply online using our form by 5pm on Thursday 22nd October 2026.

We are hosting a short online information session about the bursary application process at 11.30am on Tuesday, 13th October. If you would like to join, please sign up via Eventbrite or email info@luminatescotland.org to book a place.

All applicants will hear the results by Monday, 16th November 2026.

If you would prefer to fill out a hard copy of the application form,  or submit your application via video or sound file,  please contact us at info@luminatescotland.org or by phone on 0131 563 1717.