Creative Scotland has announced an additional £2 million to further support and sustain the country’s creative community during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The extra £1million from the Scottish Government and £1million from the Freelands Foundation will be used to increase the original £2million Creative Scotland Bridging Bursary Fund (Arts and Creative) which is providing financial support for freelance creative professionals most deeply impacted and disadvantaged by the cancellation of work due to the COVID-19 emergency.
The Creative Scotland Bridging Bursary Fund (Arts and Creative), which re-opened on Monday, offers one-off bursary payments of between £500 and £2,500.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “The Scottish Government believes culture and creativity are essential to our wellbeing, and we are working hard to support those who make this hugely important contribution to our society as they navigate these difficult times.
“The Bridging Bursaries Fund is already set to benefit hundreds of people from the first round of applications and this additional £1million funding from the Scottish Government, along with the support from Freelands Foundation, will mean Creative Scotland can help many more in the sector who are doing their best to cope with the impact of this health pandemic.”
Welcoming the announcement, Creative Scotland Chief Executive, Iain Munro, said : “As these extremely challenging times continue, they bring with them serious personal and professional impacts to artists, creative practitioners and organisations and the work they do with communities across Scotland.
“At Creative Scotland we’re continuing our focus on keeping funding flowing and today’s significant additional contributions from the Scottish Government and Freelands Foundation will enable us to enhance support for those in immediate need and help to sustain people and their work at this time.”
The announcement follows the previously launched £11million funding package available through Creative Scotland and Screen Scotland providing dedicated resources to those in need of immediate support in the film and tv sector, as well as support for individuals and organisations to develop and create work over the coming months.
All funding guidance, eligibility criteria and application forms are available at Creative Scotland and Screen Scotland.
A list of other helpful resources and sector specific support groups and organisations is also available on the Creative Scotland website.
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