Nominations for the Margaret Tait Award, in partnership with Glasgow Film and applications for the Margaret Tait Residency, have been announced by LUX Scotland, a non-profit agency dedicated to supporting, developing and promoting artists’ moving image practices in Scotland. This double opportunity in the field of cinema is delivered in partnership with and taking place at the Pier Arts Centre, Orkney.
The Margaret Tait Award is Scotland’s most prestigious moving image prize for artists, delivered in partnership with Glasgow Film and backed by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland. Inspired by the pioneering Orcadian filmmaker and poet Margaret Tait (1918–99), the award recognises experimental and innovative artists working with the moving image, offering a unique avenue of commissioning and production support and providing a high-profile platform to exhibit newly commissioned work.
The Margaret Tait Residencyis an opportunity for emerging artists working with film and moving image to develop their practice, delivered in partnership with the Pier Arts Centre, Orkney, and backed by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland. The selected artist will be provided with time, space, freedom and support to concentrate upon the development of their work without the demand for public presentation.
LUX Scotland Director, Kitty Anderson said “We are delighted to launch the call for nominations for the annual Margaret Tait Award and to be increasing both the production budget and the level of support for the selected artist. We are also really pleased to be able to continue the Margaret Tait Residency with our partners at Pier Arts Centre in Orkney and vital support from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland. This combination of opportunities helps to support artists to develop their practice at varying stages of their careers and we look forward to viewing the wide range of submissions from artists across the country.”
The 2023 award and residency will be announced at Glasgow Film Festival in March 2023 when 2022 Award recipient Sulaïman Majali, will present their new film, followed by a solo exhibition at LUX in London in October 2023 and a tour across Scotland.
Each year, the Award is presented to an artist based in Scotland who has established a significant body of work over the past 5 – 10 years; is recognised by peers for their contribution to the artists’ moving image sector; and can demonstrate the significant impact that the award will have on the development of their practice. This year the recipient of the award will receive the increased budget of £20,000 to produce an ambitious new work. The film will premiere at Glasgow Film Festival the following year and will subsequently tour with LUX Scotland, including a solo exhibition at LUX’s exhibition space in London.
The Margaret Tait Residency will take place at the Pier Arts Centre’s newly renovated facility Linkshouse – Orkney Arts Residency for up to 6 weeks with an artists’ fee of £152.21 per day (based on SAU new graduate residency salary for 2021/22) and accompanying travel and access support funds. The residency will take place between October 2023 and March 2024.
Full details about the Margaret Tait Award can be found here:
https://luxscotland.org.uk/programme/margaret-tait-award-residency/
The deadline for both opportunities is Monday 7th November, 5pm GMT.
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 