Artists living in AB postcode areas are invited to submit proposals to Aberdeen Art Gallery for its next round of Micro-Commissions, supported by the Friends of Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums.
Creative practitioners working across artforms are invited to apply for funding to develop new work responding to the theme of Scottish Identity. This year's brief asks artists to reflect on what it means to belong in Scotland today and explore how identity is shaped through heritage, belonging, culture, memory, myth and lived experience.
Artists are encouraged to bring fresh perspectives to how Scotland is seen, understood and imagined in the 21st century. Proposals might explore migration, climate, language, rural and urban life, cultural hybridity, underrepresented voices and communities. All proposals must respond creatively to Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museum's collections.
Each artist will have 12 weeks to develop and realise their proposed work(s). There are two levels of funding available: one commission of £2,500 and two commissions of £1,000.
This is the seventh round of Micro-Commissions to be offered by Aberdeen Art Gallery. The programme was originally established using funding awarded to the Gallery after winning Art Fund Museum of the Year. Subsequent rounds have been supported with support from the Friends of Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums.
Councillor Martin Greig, Aberdeen City Council's culture spokesperson, said: "The Micro-Commissions programme continues to be a valuable way to support artists and creative practitioners across the North-East. Previous commissions have brought fresh ideas and new perspectives into our collections and helped audiences engage with important contemporary issues. This year's theme of Scottish Identity invites artists to explore what it means to belong in Scotland today, and I look forward to seeing the imaginative and thought-provoking responses it inspires."
Rosemary Kaye of the Friends of Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums said: "The Friends are delighted to continue to support the Micro-commissions project, which creates wonderful opportunities for local artists. The programme encourages new creative work celebrating the richness and diversity of contemporary Scottish life. We look forward to seeing how artists and makers respond to this year's theme and contribute new perspectives to ongoing conversations around questions of Scottish identity."
Micro-Commissions 2026
The Artist Brief and Application Form can be found here.
A virtual information and Q&A session for artists interested in finding out more about the opportunity will be held online with curators Jessica Barrie and Dominika McConnachie on Tuesday 8 September 2026. Anyone wishing to attend should contact AAGMcurators@aberdeencity.gov.uk for joining details. The session will also be recorded and made available online.
The deadline for submissions is 23:59 on Sunday 4 October 2026.
Previous recipients of Micro-Commissions are:
- Amy Benzie
- Lise Bos
- Mary Bourne
- Kirsty Cameron
- CUSP (Phoebe Banks and Jess Wilson-Leigh)
- Joshua Ekekwe
- Flying Lion
- Jo Gilbert
- Lynne Hocking-Mennie
- Juliet Macleod
- Joshua Macpherson
- Anne Marquiss
- Helen Partridge Love and Noon Abdelrazig
- Ursula Mathers
- Kimberley Petrie
- Clive Ramage
- Florence Reekie
- Bethany Reid
- Helen Scaife
- Nicola Seal
- AJ Simpson
- Joe Stollery
- Bruce Swanson
- Daisy Williamson