Visual Arts
Art is for everyone and at ANGUSalive we are privileged to present to you the Angus Council Fine Art Collection as well as an exciting programme of touring art exhibitions from both established names and fresh, new up and coming artists. Also, once a year, we’d like to invite you to show us your artistic talent by entering our Annual Meffan Winter Show.
Touring Exhibitions and Art Events
ANGUSalive brings you an exciting and diverse programme of contemporary art from all over Scotland and beyond. We work with several artists each year including established names and fresh new art graduates. Most of these exhibitions take place in the Meffan Museum & Art Gallery, Montrose Museum and Carnoustie Library’s, Lochty Gallery.
As well as exhibitions, you are very welcome to come along to our exhibition openings, artist talks and other events. If you would like our latest news delivered straight to your inbox, please sign up to our Visual Arts Mailing List.
The Art Collection
The Angus Art Collection consists of around 4,000 artworks originally held by the seven burgh towns of Angus, which came together in 1975. This art collection is rich and diverse, steeped in the history of Angus and is still evolving to this day. We are grateful for generous donations and bequests and we also purchase new and exciting works, most notably from our annual Meffan Winter Exhibition.
We have several impressive and exciting works on display in our galleries, each reflecting the character of the seven burgh towns of Angus. Two such paintings we would love for you to see are by Peter Brueghel the Younger which you will find on permanent display in the Corsar Gallery in Arbroath Library.
Feel free to pop in and visit our galleries which are all free of charge and explore an intriguing and surprising realm of art, right here in Angus.
Meffan Winter Show
Saturday 9 November 2024 – Monday 6 January 2025
An open art competition with the ANGUSalive purchase prize of £1500 and £200 prize for the Visitor’s Choice Award.
Every year we invite artists from all over Scotland at all stages in their creative practice to enter their artwork into our annual Meffan Winter Show. All visual artworks are considered: paintings, textiles, sculpture, jewellery, graphic design, illustration, ceramics, fashion, animation, film, and photography. Our 2023 show attracted over 230 artworks for consideration from professional and amateur artists resident all across Scotland working in many different media. 156 pieces were selected for the exhibition in Forfar’s Meffan Museum & Art Gallery.
Visual Artist and Craft Maker Awards: Angus #VACMAScotland
In partnership with Creative Scotland and Angus Council, we have established a VACMA scheme to assist individual artists and makers at all stages of their career. Visual Artists and Craft Makers living and practicing in Angus are invited to apply for a new round of grants of between £500 and £1,500 for the development of their practice. Awards can cover costs associated with developing practice including researching, creating and presenting new work or advancing skills, technical ability and ideas. This year we have introduced a £500 bursary for recent graduates/emerging artists.
The awards are allocated for individuals to undertake self-determined artistic and professional development. The aim is to support artistic experimentation and creation of new work that adds to the growing reputation of Angus’ artistic community and helps individuals to develop their skills and talent.