This 26 | 12 September - 11 October 2026

Emilia Evans-Munton · Madeleine Marg · Ammna Sheikh · Aqsa Arif · Tayo Adekunle · Hannah Lim · Lola Stong-Brett · Plum Cloutman · Cassia Dodman · Timo Aho · Guy Titterington · Paloma Proudfoot · Alicia Bruce · Kate Fahey · Aimée Henderson · Paul Rooney · Rachel Maclean RSA (Elect) · Erica Eyres · Mary Ramsden · Ellen Macdonald · Lindsay Sekulowicz · Heather Ross · Mairi Gillies · Sarah Forrest · Craig Coulthard · Emily Speed

Supporting Scottish artists and architects has been a key aim of the Royal Scottish Academy throughout its 200-year history. Since the start of this century alone, the RSA has distributed more than £5.5 million through awards, scholarships, residencies, exhibitions and sales opportunities. Curated by Royal Scottish Academician Edward Summerton and the RSA’s Exhibitions and Opportunities Manager Amy Cameron, this exhibition looks at the recent history of the RSA’s opportunities programme through the work of 26 artists, one selected for each year of the twenty-first century so far.

The work is varied, spanning painting, sculpture, photography, film, printmaking and installation, as are the experiences of the artists and the places in which they now live and work. Some were born and raised in Scotland, others came to study before establishing their practices elsewhere, while others have remained. Their connections to Scotland extend beyond geography, shaped through education, friendships, professional relationships, exhibitions and the opportunities that have helped shape their practices.

Some of the artists represented here first encountered the Academy shortly after graduating through exhibition opportunities like RSA New Contemporaries or graduate awards like the RSA John Kinross Scholarship, while others received support later in their careers through funds such as RSA Residencies for Scotland or the RSA Morton Award for Lens-based Media. Several have received support at multiple points in their careers.

Together, these artists reflect the breadth of contemporary practice connected to Scotland and the many directions an artistic career can take. Their work also demonstrates the importance of opportunities that provide the time, resources, confidence and freedom to pursue an idea, develop new skills, encounter something unfamiliar or simply continue making.