Entries to Scotland’s newest and biggest prize for contemporary landscape art, the Scottish Landscape Awards, are now open until 31 May 2023. With a first prize of £10,000 the hotly anticipated awards are open to anyone over the age of 16 years, born, living or studying in Scotland, regardless of experience.

The stellar line-up of judges includes influential art world figures Ade Adesina RSA, Marian Leven RSA, David Mach RA HRSA, Barbara Rae RAE CBE RA RSA RSW (chair), and Jane and Louise Wilson RA.

“This competition is for everybody. From the youngest to the oldest. From amateur artists to professional artists, to emerging artists. We want you all to exhibit.” Judges’ chair, Barbara Rae.

Open to individuals or collaborating artists who work in any medium – from miniatures to installations, the judges are keen to see entries in a wide range of materials and forms including 2D works in paint, charcoal, collage, textiles and photography as well as sculptures in glass, papier mache, stone, wood and metal and more. The competition also aims to attract entries in film, animation, sound, performance, multimedia and virtual reality.

The stated aim of the Scottish Landscape Awards is to ‘redefine the boundaries of contemporary landscape art’ by reflecting all dimensions of natural and/or man-made environments with works that may be imaginary, surreal, abstract, documentary, ecological, realistic – anything is possible as long as the work carries a strong sense of place or context.

“I think landscape art is about more than just looking and standing and depicting, it is about your own personal response to what you’ve seen.” Judge, Marian Leven.

Film-makers Ryan Williams and Penny Bel have created an inspirational series of short films about the judges and what they will be looking for.

The final shortlisted works will be shown at the inaugural Scottish Landscape Awards exhibition at City Art Centre in Edinburgh from 4 November 2023 to 3 March 2024. Occupying two floors of the gallery, the exhibition promises to showcase the very best in Scottish contemporary art. The awards will then be held every 2-3 years in different locations around Scotland.

The first prize, the Lapeca Scottish Landscape Award of £10,000 is open to works in any medium as is the second prize of £5,000 donated by the Robert Haldane Smith Foundation.

This year’s awards will also include The City of Edinburgh Award of £5,000 for the top work depicting any aspect of the city in any media. The winning work will become part of the City of Edinburgh’s permanent collection.

The Scottish Landscape Award for Environmental Art, is another major award open to works in any medium, with a £3,000 prize donated by the Cruden Foundation.

Friends of the City Art Centre and Edinburgh Museums have donated £1,000 for the Scottish Landscape Award in Photography. Meanwhile Irene Adams OBE is supporting the £1,000 Young Landscape Artist Award, which will be given to the top work entered in any medium by an artist aged 16 to 25 years.

The Chair of the Scottish Arts Trust, Charlie Scott, expressed his gratitude to all the donors who are supporting the Scottish Landscape Awards. “We are especially grateful to the William Grant Foundation which has provided the major funding that enabled the Scottish Arts Trust to deliver the inaugural Scottish Landscape Awards,” he said.

The Scottish Arts Trust, are also the organisers of the country’s top Scottish Portrait Awards. Entries to take part in the Scottish Portrait Awards 2023 are currently open until 30 April 2023. This year, the Scottish Portrait Awards welcome one of the world's most successful and prolific photographers, Albert Watson OBE as Guest Judge.

The Scottish Portrait Awards 2022 touring exhibition opens at Glasgow Art Club 6 March until 31 March 2023.

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