Culture Collective Fund launched

New £1.5million initiative launched 

Deadline for Expressions of Interest:  5pm, Wed 18 Nov 2020 

A new £1.5million Scottish Government initiative launches today to establish a network of creative practitioners, organisations and communities to respond to the impact of COVID-19. 

The initiative will also provide employment opportunities and actively engage people in shaping the future cultural life of their community. 

Grants of between £100,000 and £300,000 are available to organisations from the Culture Collective programme through Creative Scotland.  

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “We recognise that culture is more important than ever to Scotland’s collective wellbeing and prosperity.

“And place – where people, location and resources combine to create a sense of identity and purpose – is at the heart of realising the full potential of communities across Scotland and supporting them to respond creatively to the challenges posed by COVID-19. 

“The national Culture Collective pilot programme’s approach to establish a network of creative practitioners, organisations and communities reflects the ambition both of our Programme for Government and the Culture Strategy for Scotland.” 

Iain Munro, Chief Executive of Creative Scotland said: “The Culture Collective will spark new thinking and promote collaboration locally and across Scotland as we respond to the impacts of COVID-19 on the sector and communities.  

“Through the support provided by the Scottish Government, cultural organisations, local partners and creative practitioners will have the opportunity to work together, establishing important employment opportunities and developing new models of creative community engagement and participation.” 

Funding guidance and full information is available on the Creative Scotland website. 

Creative Scotland will be hosting an online Information Session about the initiative on Thursday 12 Nov, 15:30 – 16:30. 

Registration is available via the Culture Collective Programme page on Creative Scotland’s website. 

The Culture Collective programme is part of a Scottish Government package of COVID-19 emergency funds for creativity and culture being administered through Creative Scotland: 

• £15million Culture Organisation and Venues Recovery Fund which opened for applications on Thursday 17 September with a deadline of Thursday 24 September. 348 applications have been received totalling over £22million.  Application assessments are taking place and an update on decisions will be communicated early November. 
• £5million Hardship Fund for Creative Freelancers – newly enhanced by £3million to £8million – working in the arts, Screen and Creative Industries.  
• £3.5million Independent Cinemas Recovery and Resilience Fund, which opened for applications on Monday 14 September with a deadline of Monday 5 October.  Decisions were published on Tuesday 3 November. 

• £3.5million additional funds for Creative Scotland’s Open Fund which is open for applications to individuals and organisations on a rolling basis. 
• £3million Youth Arts funding package comprising of at least £1.2million through the Access to Youth Arts Fund open to applications until Thursday 12 November; the £700,000 Small Grants Scheme which was  open to applications until Monday 2 November; £50,000 assigned to the Time to Shine Nurturing Talent Fund, and anadditional £1,050,000 allocated to support a number of targeted national and local area youth music and wider youth arts organisations. These organisations were invited to apply for the Youth Arts Targeted Fund by Tuesday 13 October. 

Previously announced funds from the Scottish Government are: 

• £12.5million Performing Arts Venue Relief Fund which has reached 79 venues across Scotland. Recipients were published on Thursday 24 September and full information on awards made is available in this news release. 
• £2.2million Grassroots Music Venues Stabilisation Fund which has reached 72 venues across Scotland. Recipients were published on Tuesday 22 September and full information on awards made is available in this news release. 

Updates on all emergency funds are being published regularly on the Creative Scotland website and publicised through media and social media communications.