Tag: arts funding

£990,000 National Lottery Funding brings Arts to the heart of Scots Communities

Community projects across Scotland have secured £990,000 funding in the latest round of Open Fund awards from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland.

Broadening access to culture and creativity lies at the heart of the Open Fund. November’s awards showcase this commitment with projects such as a solar-powered mobile theatre space bringing puppetry to Scotland’s most remote communities, Scots folktale workshops welcoming the nation’s new residents, a theatre residency in the Highlands offering transformative skills development and initiatives tackling gender barriers in the music industry.

Vision Mechanics is setting the stage for a new era of theatre with The Solar Stage – a travelling, solar-powered and carbon neutral performance space, designed to tour bespoke marionette puppets across the country. This self-sufficient mobile venue will bring live theatre to communities where cultural access may otherwise be limited-bringing creativity to peoples’ doorsteps.

With over 40 years dedicated to the art of marionette puppetry Vision Mechanics will use The Solar Stage to showcase their latest project, The Circus of Dreams, inspired by the magic of Edwardian and Victorian travelling circuses. Audiences can expect a fully immersive space, exploring the intricate craftsmanship behind each puppet and stepping into a world where puppetry meets sustainability.

Symon Macintyre, Artistic Director at Vision Mechanics said: “Creative Scotlland’s Open Fund has enabled us to create The Solar Stage, not simply a theatre, but a sculptural, solar-powered artwork that becomes home to the last touring marionette show in Scotland.

“This support allows us to bring a rare and fragile art form to communities that seldom experience it, while touring in a truly sustainable way. The fund is helping us preserve marionette heritage, nurture new artists, and share something magical with audiences across the country.” country.” 

Folktales for New Scots is a vibrant community arts initiative designed to share Scotland’s rich storytelling tradition with those making Scotland their home.

Led by Beetroots Collective CIC, the project will deliver 24 interactive storytelling and art workshops across Edinburgh, Glasgow, Ayr and Peebles. Each session pairs a local storyteller with an arts workshop inspired by the chosen folktale, creating space for cultural exchange and artistic expression.

Marta Adamowicz and Robert Motyka, Directors and leading artists at Beetroots Collective CIC said: “The Open Fund will provide us with the opportunity to foster new collaborations, explore artistic experimentation, and engage socially across diverse Scottish locations.

“Through these initiatives, we will welcome new participants and reach new audiences, thereby contributing to Scotland’s rich cultural landscape.

“Migrant communities will gain deeper insight into Scottish culture while sharing their own traditions, creating a meaningful exchange.” 

Vivid Roots Collective is launching its Pilot Residency Project to empower Highland-based theatre makers with the skills and support to create original work.  

Taking place across three venues in the north of Scotland, the residencies will offer local theatre makers the chance to develop new projects while participating in workshops and scratch nights, building regional connections and strengthening local theatre communities.  

Vivid Roots will offer 11 public events, create paid opportunities for seven openly recruited artists, and casual work for mentors and workshop facilitators. In total, 29 artists will be involved with audiences across online and in-person events – bringing fresh creative energy to the Highlands 

Laura Walker, CEO and Creative Producer at Vivid Roots Collective, said:“This funding has allowed us to make a huge transition as an organisation.

“We announced in the autumn that we would be moving away from a festival model so that we can support more artists across a year-long programme of events, and a wider area of delivery.

“This programme is all about supporting artists to invest in their own creative and professional development, with a big focus on delivery across multiple locations in the Highlands, which we have been working on since the beginning.” 

Hen Hoose Collective is tackling gender-based barriers in the music industry with a 16-month programme of free, practical skills development initiatives for women and non-binary creatives.  

The programme will offer writing camps, production workshops and career development sessions, while partnering with organisation such as Music Broth, We Are Here Scotland and One Groove to produce a collaborative project. 

Participants will also have the opportunity to up-skill at a songwriting residency in Fife, working alongside acclaimed producer Dan Gautreau at First Cut Studios.

Tamara Schlesinger, founder and CEO of Hen Hoose said: “The funding from Creative Scotland Open Fund has been absolutely transformative.

“It has allowed us to uplift and support nearly 700 women and non-binary artists across Scotland through panels, workshops, mentoring, and collaborative songwriting projects … for so many, this fund has been genuinely life-changing, and we are incredibly grateful to be able to continue this work.” 

These awards are among 50 individual grants made to artists and creative practitioners across Scotland in November 2025. Other awards spanning artform and location include: 

  • Overcoming The “Invisible Women” Syndrome – a social and educational group based in Edinburgh providing older female writers with a safe, inclusive space to hone their craft, led by author Anne Hamilton. 
  • Outer SpacesScotland Residency – collaborating with artists and the public in Aberdeen to explore our shared connection with nature. Insights gathered will shape an immersive exhibition designed to travel sustainably – using public transport – to underserved Scottish island communities. 
  • The2026 Lammermuir Festival – taking place in East Lothian and Midlothian throughout September 2026, with a 12-day classical music programme.  

Commenting on November’s Open Fund awards, Paul Burns, Interim Director of Arts at Creative Scotland said: “This group of awards demonstrates the ingenious ways organisations are ensuring all parts of society and all areas of Scotland have access to culture.

“Thanks to the support of National Lottery players, communities across the country will be able to enjoy award-winning musical performances, experience innovative new theatrical environments and learn new skills, as well as developing their own creativity.” 

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Review of Creative Scotland announced

ARTS FUNDING CRISIS OVER – FOR NOW

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has announced a review of Creative Scotland to ensure its operations and structure are optimal to the needs of the culture sector, as part of this year’s Programme for Government.

The review, which will be the first since the public body’s establishment in 2010, will examine Creative Scotland’s remit and functions as a funding body, and how the overall impact of planned increases in levels of public funding can be maximised to support sustainability in the sector and in participation in the arts.

Full details of the review and its process will be set out to parliament in the near future, and will include seeking views from individuals and organisations from all parts of Scotland’s culture sector.

The Culture Secretary also confirmed that following a period of necessary due diligence, Creative Scotland had now received funding previously allocated to it in the 2024/25 Scottish budget, including £1.8 million for youth music, and £6.6 million that will allow its Open Fund to be re-opened.

Mr Robertson said: “Scotland’s culture is world-renowned and it remains integral to our nation and our economy. Over the past 14 years, Creative Scotland has had a significant role in supporting that role, distributing £65 million of public funding in the last year alone.

“With the sector having faced a number of new and enduring challenges since then, the time is now right for us to ensure Creative Scotland’s remit and functions remain relevant, in line with our commitments to invest at least £100 million more annually in the arts and culture by 2028-29, and to continuous improvement across all our public bodies.

“It is routine for public bodies to undergo reviews throughout their lifetime, and while that process is ongoing we are clear that we expect the organisations involved to take forward their business as usual.

“Creative Scotland is no different and they will be carrying on with their important work throughout.

 “In the meantime I’m pleased to confirm release of £1.8 million to Creative Scotland for youth music, and another £6.6 million, which includes £3 million towards its Open Fund and £1 million for Screen Scotland.” 

Iain Munro, CEO, Creative Scotland said: “Creative Scotland notes the intention to review the way the sector is supported, as announced by the First Minister in the Programme for Government, and we look forward to hearing more details.  

“We welcome the continued commitment to provide an additional £100m in funding for Culture and will work with the Scottish Government on the effective allocation of that funding, to the benefit of culture and creativity in Scotland.

“We also welcome today’s confirmation of £6.6m, originally committed to Creative Scotland by the Scottish Government at the start of this financial year, reinstating budget removed in the previous year.

“We continue to see unprecedented levels of demand for the Open Fund for Individuals and will process the high volume of applications we have received. With the budget now confirmed, we will work to re-open this fund.

“We are sure today’s confirmation of the release of this funding will be welcomed by the creative community of Scotland.”

Culture sector facing catastrophe, says Choudhury

Lothians MSP Foysol Choudhury, Scottish Labour’s Shadow Culture Minister, is pressing the Scottish Government to urgently act following reported comments by Francesca Hegyi, Chief Executive of Edinburgh International Festival, that the Scottish culture sector could face a “house of cards” collapse.

MSP Choudhury has joined Ms Hegyi in calling on the Scottish Government to save Scotland’s world-renowned culture sector and urgently roll out the £100 million pledged last year by the Government.

Foysol Choudhury and Scottish Labour colleagues have been calling for an urgent festivals crisis summit-a plea Ms Hegyi is seemingly now echoing with her calls for a crisis summit on the future of arts funding in Scotland.

MSP Choudhury said: “Francesca Hegyi’s comments lay bare the extent of the crisis in our culture sector – her concerns must be heeded by the Scottish Government.

“I have been calling for an urgent festivals crisis summit and have been raising questions on this at the Scottish Parliament, as well as meeting with the relevant stakeholders to try and secure action to save our culture sector before it is too late.

“It is clear that Scotland’s cultural sector is under enormous pressure, with cultural organisations crying out for support and venues and festivals under threat.

“Yet, the Scottish Government still won’t heed mine and Scottish Labour’s calls for a crisis summit on festival funding.

“We must save our world-renowned cultural sector, which contributes hugely to our creative economy, as well as having a huge positive impact on other industries such as tourism and hospitality.

“We need the concrete action of a festivals crisis summit now.”

Some cultural organisations are also complaining of ‘standstill’ funding which provides little opportunity for growth. Mr Choudhury has, in response, been pressing for long-term, sufficient funding which allows the culture sector to truly thrive.

With some reports suggesting that Edinburgh’s festivals bring in similar viewing numbers as the World Cup, which has years to prepare, Mr Choudhury says it is incredibly important that Scotland’s culture sector is also given the same level of economic stability and preparation time to maintain our world-class status as a global hub for culture.

Mr Choudhury says he and his colleagues will continue to press the Scottish Government on these matters and work to preserve Scotland’s cultural sector.

Council launches £100,000 BAME arts fund

A new £100,000 fund to support Edinburgh-based Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) artists, practitioners and producers in the Capital’s arts and culture sector opens for applications.

The City of Edinburgh Council’s Diversity & Inclusion Fund will focus on projects that promote greater creative collaboration between black, Asian and minority ethnic artists, practitioners and producers and Edinburgh-based cultural organisations.

Grants of up to £5,000, £10,000 and £20,000 will be awarded to organisations or individuals based in the Capital to help with the costs involved in developing new performing artwork (music, dance, spoken word and theatre), film making and screenings, digital art, cultural events and creative writing.

This is the first of two cultural project funding opportunities in Edinburgh, established through the creation of the Flexible Fund as part of the new approach for Third Party Cultural Grants agreed by the Council last year. Details of a second Flexible Fund opportunity, currently planned for Arts and Health Projects, will be announced in May 2020.

Cllr Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities Convener for City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Edinburgh has a long and strong reputation for creativity and excellence in the arts and we must continue to identify new and collaborative ways of resourcing the sector, and this fund will go some way to support new talent.

“As part of our policy of widening and deepening engagement with artists and communities across the city this fund is targeted at Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic artists and Edinburgh-based cultural organisations.

“We are committed to promoting stronger collaboration, developing new partnerships and creating new funding streams. The creation of our new Flexible Fund will help nurture more new work and emerging artists and enable greater access to our funding programmes for previously unfunded groups or those who have found it difficult to access mainstream funding in the past.”

A Panel of industry specialists will review applications for Diversity & Inclusion Fund grant awards in April 2020.

Further information on Diversity & Inclusion Fund

Who can apply?

Projects involving Edinburgh-based artists and practitioners and taking place within the City of Edinburgh boundary. Grants will be awarded to projects that promote greater collaboration between minority ethnic artists/practitioners, and Edinburgh-based cultural organisations. Projects should reach, involve, benefit and engage BAME artists and/or cultural organisations and creative practitioners.

Projects and activities could include: visual and performing arts (music, dance, spoken word and theatre), film making and screenings, digital art, cultural events and creative writing.

A total Fund budget of £100,000 is available for projects developed in financial year 2020/21 offering:
6 grant awards of up to £5,000;
3 grants of up to £10,000; and
2 grant awards of up to £20,000

The deadline for submissions is 3 April 2020 (23:59 GMT).

An online application form and further information about the fund can be found via the consultation hub.

You can also register your interest in attending information sessions.

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