A Moray town has been shortlisted for a £100,000 arts boost.
Forres has been nominated in a Creative Scotland awards scheme that recognises small communities with thriving cultural scenes, and could receive the cash windfall at a ceremony this June.
If successful at the Creative Place Awards, the region’s arts planners will put the money towards the annual Forres Culture Day events, as well as next year’s Findhorn Bay Arts Festival and culture cafe sessions.
The festival’s director Kresanna Aigner said: “We are thrilled to have been successful in our funding application.
“The Creative Place award would be something the Forres community could retain to help us attract visitors.
“It would allow us to reach out to a wider audience and work with a greater range of local artists and community groups.”
Forres Culture Day will take place on Saturday, September 26, with a number of local arts groups showcasing their activities to the public.
If organisers receive the funding boost, they will work with professional artists to create new installations in the town.
The next Findhorn Bay Arts Festival is planned for September 2016.
The grant would also fund culture café networking sessions, hosted by local artists at different locations in the area.
Other areas vying for the £100,000 allotment are the Isle of Arran and Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
Chief executive at Creative Scotland Jane Archer said: “We received a number of high calibre applications from across Scotland, and for our panel selecting the final shortlist was no easy feat.”
The winner will be announced at a ceremony in Falkirk on Wednesday, June 10.