EDINBURGH.- The Royal Scottish Academy ias announced the MacRobert Art Award for Painting. With a value of £20,000, each year this new award will provide a mid-career painter with a 12-month period of research and development. The award intends to provide the time and financial assistance for a committed painter whose circumstances have, for whatever reason, made it difficult to focus upon and develop their artistic talent.

Whilst the award is financial, a significant value will be the opportunity that the funds can directly, or indirectly provide. To be eligible for the award, entrants must be painters who graduated at least 10 years ago or have at least 10 years of substantive practice. The selected artist must also have been born, or be currently living, in Scotland. The award is for fine art painting of any medium or subject.

Mrs Sabrina Campbell, Director and Trustee of the MacRobert Trust says: “When creating her Trusts, Lady MacRobert was keen to ensure that her interest in art was recognised. In doing so, and after much truly valued help and advice from the RSA’s Colin Greenslade, we are particularly pleased to be able to support an award that specifically nurtures an applicant's unrealised talent. We are extremely grateful to the RSA, for all their support in bringing our vision to reality and particularly for agreeing to arrange judging and administration.”




Colin R Greenslade RSA Director says: “The Academy provides a plethora of awards for emerging artists to assist them become established, yet it is crucially important that artists with a proven track record are also supported to enable their practice.

"The MacRobert Trust has a long history in supporting science and innovation. Adding visionary artists to this venerable catalogue of support underwrites their importance as commentators upon our existence. We hope that this vital new annual award will assist to significantly change the funding landscape for committed mid-to-late career painters and encourage others to also support Scotland’s experienced artistic talent.”

Sir Alexander MacRobert (1854-1922) and Lady MacRobert (1884-1954) married in 1911 and lived on the Douneside Estate in Aberdeenshire. After the death of her husband and three sons, Lady MacRobert continued to run the estate and immersed herself pursuing her own interests and supporting those of her family. These interests covered a broad range of subjects including supporting military life, farming and agriculture, gardening and horticulture, geology, art, music and her local community.

Prior to her death in 1954, Lady MacRobert established a series of charitable trusts that reflected her keen wish to continue to support those interests after she had gone and particularly to present young people with opportunities to better themselves as well as to support and nurture their belief in the traditions, ideals and spirit.