Visual artists in the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) area are being encouraged to tap into a new awards scheme to help develop their talent and skills.

HI Arts, the arts development agency for the Highlands and Islands, in partnership with the Scottish Arts Council National Lottery Fund is offering grants of up to £500 to artists to help towards a variety of expenses.

The Visual Artists Awards scheme can help artists with travel and subsistence costs to attend a major conference or symposium, or to visit galleries with a view to future exhibitions of their work. Grants can also assist towards the cost of training in new techniques or different mediums as well as research and development costs for a new project. The expenses involved in preparing for an exhibition are also eligible for funding under the scheme.

Several artists have already taken advantage of the new initiative. Steven MacKenzie from Skye was awarded a grant to help him equip a darkroom, while Tain-based Kay Greer was assisted with her travel costs to Australia where she took part in a major water-based visual arts event. Olwen Shone from North Uist was awarded a small grant towards the cost of preparing for a touring exhibition and Gillian Jones from Cromarty on the Black Isle attended a training session in 'safe' etching techniques at the weekend. (Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th May).

Commenting on the Visual Artists Awards scheme, Gillian Jones said: "It was a very rewarding experience to be spend two days with expert printmaker Ian Westacott. The award has not only helped extend my creative and professional practise, but given me a sound base from which to explore a new technique in future work."

Robert Livingston, director of HI Arts said: "I'm delighted at the calibre of artists who have received awards in this first phase of the scheme, and at the interesting initiatives involved in the applications. This may be a relatively small scheme but it offers real opportunities for Highlands and Islands artists to take a big step forward in their work."

Funding for the scheme is set to continue into 2002 with a total budget of £4,000 having recently been confirmed.

Visual Artists Awards are part of a wider programme of development being undertaken by HI Arts, which includes the recently launched second edition of the 'Highlands and Islands Visual Arts Guide' which details over 130 public funded and private galleries and arts centres in the region. HI Arts, in partnership with the Scottish Arts Council National Lottery fund, are also undertaking a major two year Visual Arts Marketing project which aims to help galleries promote themselves more successfully.