Project
Margaret Tait Commission
The Margaret Tait Commission is a LUX Scotland commission delivered in partnership with Glasgow Film, backed by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland. Previously known as the Margaret Tait Award, the name was changed in 2023 to more accurately reflect the nature of the opportunity. Inspired by the pioneering Orcadian filmmaker and poet Margaret Tait (1918 – 99), the commissioning opportunity recognises experimental and innovative artists working with the moving image, offering a unique avenue of production support and providing a high-profile platform to exhibit newly commissioned work.
Due to funding limitations there will be no Margaret Tait Commission 2024. We would like to thank all the artists and partners who have taken part and been involved in the opportunity since its inception, and we look forward to bringing the commission back soon.
More about the commission
Each year, the commission is presented to an artist based in Scotland who has established a significant body of work over the past 5 – 10 years; is recognised by peers for their contribution to the artists’ moving image sector; and can demonstrate the significant impact that the commission will have on the development of their practice. The recipient of the commission receives a budget and artist’s fee to produce a new work. The new commission premieres at Glasgow Film Theatre the following year, and subsequently tours with LUX Scotland, including a solo exhibition at LUX’s exhibition space in London.
Eligible artists are nominated through an open call process, which allows anyone (the general public, as well as arts professionals and artists) both within and outwith Scotland to put forward an artist. Nominations are assessed by a panel of artists and professionals from across the fields of the visual arts and film. Shortlisted artists are then asked to present proposals for the commission. Shortlisted artists are paid a fee for their time and those not selected for the commission are offered a session with one panel member to talk about their work in more detail.
Recipients
2023: Isabel Barfod, How Much Air Lungs Can Hold
Shortlist: Renèe Helèna Browne, Rhona Mühlebach, and George Finlay Ramsay
2022: Sulaïman Majali, in the house of names
Shortlist: Sekai Machache, Rae-Yen Song, and Natasha Thembiso Ruwona
2021: Andrew Black, On Clogger Lane
Shortlisted: Christian Noelle Charles, Winnie Herbstein, Mathew Wayne Parkin, and Tako Taal
2020: Emilia Beatriz
Shortlisted: Sulaïman Majali, Kimberley O’Neill, and Hardeep Pandhal
2019: Jamie Crewe, Ashley
Shortlisted: Winnie Herbstein, Margaret Salmon and Stuart Middleton.
2018: Alberta Whittle, between a whisper and a cry
Shortlisted: Aideen Doran, Rob Kennedy and Corin Sworn.
2017: Sarah Forrest, April
Shortlisted: Jamie Crewe, Margaret Salmon and Kimberley O’Neill.
2016: Kate Davis, Charity
Shortlisted: Aideen Doran, Hardeep Pandhal, Catherine Street and Stina Wirfelt.
2015: Duncan Marquiss, Evolutionary Jerks and Gradualist Creeps
Shortlisted: Kathryn Elkin, Rob Kennedy, and Hardeep Pandhal.
2014: Charlie Prodger, The Stoneymollan Trail
Shortlisted: Allison Gibbs, Beagles and Ramsay, Kari Robertson, Kathryn Elkin and Katy Dove.
2013: Rachel Maclean, A Whole New World
Shortlisted: Michelle Hannah, Rob Kennedy, Sophie Macpherson, Gillian Steel, Sarah Tripp, and Stina Wirfelt.
2012: Stephen Sutcliffe, Outwork
Shortlisted: Calum Stirling, Katri Walker, Rachel MacLean, Stina Wirfelt and Stuart Gurden.
2011: Anne-Marie Copestake, And Under That
2010: Torsten Lauschmann, At The Heart of Everything is a Row of Holes
Shortlisted: Aileen Campbell, Sarah Tripp, Henry Coombes, Alexander and Susan Maris.
