The Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust has made a generous commitment to support Art students at Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) through two newly established awards: the Barns-Graham Travel Award and the Barns-Graham Support Award. These awards aim to honour the legacy of the esteemed Scottish artist and ECA alumna Wilhelmina Barns-Graham by providing opportunities for students to advance their practice and complete their projects without financial constraints.
Barns-Graham Travel Award
The Barns-Graham Travel Award offers a remarkable opportunity for a second-year Art student to travel to Italy and deepen their artistic practice. This award is designed to broaden students' horizons, allowing them to immerse themselves in Italy's rich cultural and artistic heritage.
Each year, an academic panel in Art will assess all award submissions and select the recipient with the highest overall academic grades and who has demonstrated the capability and enthusiasm to make the most of this international experience.
Barns-Graham Support Award
In addition to the Travel Award, the Barns-Graham Support Award provides crucial financial assistance to a final-year Art student. This award is aimed at those who face significant economic barriers, enabling them to complete their art projects without worrying about the costs of their materials.
The Support Award addresses the increasing financial pressures on students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. It is aimed at those who face significant economic barriers, enabling them to complete their art projects without worrying about the costs of their materials. By alleviating the financial burden, the award ensures these talented students can access the necessary technical facilities and materials to bring their creative visions to life.
"We are delighted that these awards are available through a generous donation from the Trust to support our students and help them overcome financial challenges," said Susan Mowatt, Head of Art. "These awards reflect Wilhelmina Barns-Graham's enduring legacy and her passion for empowering the next generation of artists."
About the Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust
Founded in 1987 by distinguished 20th-century Scottish artist and ECA graduate Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, the Trust is dedicated to enhancing her reputation and supporting young artists. The Trust's mission is to inspire and support the next generation of visual artists through bursaries, scholarships, and other opportunities.
“When Barns-Graham studied at Edinburgh College of Art in the 1930s, she benefitted greatly from bursaries that supported her studies and allowed her to travel, both within the UK and into Europe. Following her instructions, we are delighted that the Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust can continue supporting the current generation of students at ECA, just as she was, to help them make the most of their time in Edinburgh.” Rob Airey, Director, Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust.
The Barns-Graham Travel and Support Awards stand as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust and its founder. By offering these awards, the Trust continues to honour her vision and foster the development of future artists, a legacy for which we are deeply grateful.
