The VADS4R project is developing and piloting a research data management (RDM) training programme tailored to the needs of early careers researchers and postgraduate students in the visual arts. The project is led by the Centre for Digital Scholarship (formerly known as VADS), a Research Centre of the Library at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA). This collaborative venture is working in partnership with Falmouth University and Glasgow School of Art to develop, deliver, and evaluate an RDM training programme across each of the three specialist arts institutions. VADS4R is running from February 2013 to July 2014 and is funded by an Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Skills Development Award.

The VADS4R project builds on the work of the KAPTUR project (2011- 2013), which was funded through the JISC Managing Research Data programme. KAPTUR investigated the nature and scope of research data in the visual arts, which is highly varied and takes many forms across both physical objects and digital files. KAPTUR created a sectoral model of best practice in the management of research data in the visual arts, consisting of: toolkits, workshops, case studies, institutional policies, a technical requirements analysis, and business and sustainability plans.