Visual Arts Scotland
Visual Arts Scotland (VAS) is an exhibiting art organization based in Edinburgh, Scotland. It represents fine and applied visual artists from across the country. VAS is a multi-disciplinary charity and includes painters, textile artists, sculptors, ceramicists, and photographers. It runs an annual exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy building and is registered as a charity (SC006715).
VAS began in 1924 as the Scottish Society of Women Artists. It was founded by William McDougall to help women gain recognition for their art, inspired by his daughter Lily McDougall’s talents. In the late 1980s the group changed its name to the Scottish Artists and Artist Craftsmen and started admitting men. In 1997–99 Alison Dunlop served as president when it was renamed Visual Arts Scotland. In recent years its presidents have included Diana Hope, Robbie Bushe, Andrew Mackenzie, and Sarah Calmus.
Today, VAS brings together diverse artists from around Scotland and continues to showcase their work through exhibitions and events.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 03:24 (CET).