Tattoo launches Capital communities culture fund

A £97,700 fund to support artist-led cultural projects in communities across the Capital has opened for applications. 

Following a successful pilot in 2017, the City of Edinburgh Council and Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo have joined forces to provide a Fund to stimulate and support year-round artistic and cultural projects in Edinburgh.

Thanks to a generous donation from the Tattoo, the Fund will allow grants of approximately £5,000 to be awarded. The project has been developed in line with the City of Edinburgh Council’s Culture Plan, which promotes city partners working together to keep culture and creativity at the heart of Edinburgh’s success and quality of life.

Councillor Donald Wilson, Convener of Culture and Communities at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We are thrilled to be collaborating with the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo again in support of the city’s creative and cultural life. The Tattoo plays a hugely important role in Edinburgh, promoting culture to the world and bringing international talent to perform at Edinburgh Castle each August.

“Last year’s pilot enabled us to work with the Tattoo to give something back to artistic work in Edinburgh. We were able to fund 10 organisations and the feedback from those who benefited has been tremendous. We look forward to building on this and offering communities across Edinburgh greater opportunities to engage with high quality artistic work.”

Rucelle Soutar, Head of Finance for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: “Our core purpose is to sustain world-class shows in Edinburgh and abroad but underlying this is a passionate desire to support our national institutions and society more generally. 

“In doing this, we want to help provide stability and offer a launch pad for future generations.  So, we are beyond thrilled to mark our third consecutive £1 million donations in support for military, veterans and the arts.

“A strong component of this year’s donation has been awarded to organisations that will continue to engage people, especially young people, with the Armed Forces; support and care for veterans as well as inspiring the next generation of musicians and dancers.  All of this will help to sustain the Tattoo and all that lies behind.

“The Tattoo’s impact reaches far beyond its annual show and it is a great privilege to be able to support such fantastic projects that will make a real difference to people. We’re very much looking forward to seeing the outcomes of the donations granted this year.”

The 2018/19 fund will aim to support artist-led projects in Edinburgh which help breakdown barriers to accessing cultural activity in new and imaginative ways. Special focus will be given to projects which offer participatory activities and workshops, exhibitions or performances in new spaces and, collaborative projects between artists and members of local communities.

The fund is open to any constituted organisation and applicants are strongly encouraged to seek partnership support and apply for the exact funds needed. It is also open to organisations already in receipt of Council support.

Applications close on Wednesday 10 October at 12 Noon and will be judged by a panel of industry specialists.

Find out if you are eligible to apply here.

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davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer