A new £50,000 scholarship for aspiring Scottish creatives has been launched at the DCA.
The funding programme is aimed at encouraging emerging Scottish writers, artists and entrepreneurs.
Entitled “Inspiring Scotland”, the project is being run to mark the 80th anniversary of charity the Saltire Society.
Scotland’s first ever online literary festival was also launched at Tuesday’s event.
As part of the initiative, an eight-month schedule of events has been announced which will include a partnership with the British Council Scotland and the Edinburgh International Film Festival.
Travel placements will also be available to young creatives, with the offer of a three-month stint in New York to one.
The lucky recipient of the New York placement will follow in the footsteps of renowned Scottish artist Steven Campbell.
Steven’s widow and founder of the Steven Campbell trust Carol Campbell explained: “We have always held dear to our aim of one day being able to support a scholarship programme based in New York for a practising artist.
“There can be few other cities where becoming an overnight success is not some idle daydream but can, with hard work, be achievable.
“In Steven’s case we finally hit success after a year spent visiting every opening exhibition in our Soho neighbourhood and painting every day in his studio at the Pratt Institute when the Barbara Toll Gallery agreed to take three canvases for a summer exhibition.
“We are delighted to be able to announce that this programme is now a reality and that criterion for applications will be released shortly.
“Steven would have been immensely proud to know that his name and influence still resounds today.”
For more on the Saltire Society visit www.saltiresociety.org.uk.