Tag: Creative Scotland

Creative projects awarded £265,000 in immersive technology funding

17 projects spanning Stornoway, Forres, Fort William, Dundee, Lochgilphead, Greenock, Glasgow and Edinburgh have received £265,000 in the second round of Immersive Arts funding to support artists from all backgrounds to utilise immersive technologies.

With three distinct grant amounts available – £5,000, £20,000 and £50,000 – the funding supports artists at different stages of their creative development: to explore, experiment or expand how they make work that uses technology to actively involve an audience.

The Game by Biome Collective (Malath Abbas and Andy Truscott) received a £50,000 Expand grant to create an immersive sound-walk artwork through Dundee. Using a mobile app and headphones, audiences will walk through the city to explore football as a lived culture; their route, pace and pauses triggering different audio elements and composition.

Inspired by Andy Truscott’s father, a lifelong Dundee United supporter living with dementia, it preserves everyday journeys as a public artwork. The current prototype will be expanded through co-design with Alzheimer Scotland and local partners including Dundee United Community Trust, UNESCO City of Design Dundee and V&A Dundee, with the aim of a public release and city-wide launch event rooted in Dundee’s football heritage.

Malath Abbas said: “We’re proud to have secured Expand funding from Immersive Arts for The Game. For Biome Collective, this support recognises our ongoing work to push the boundaries of immersive arts and create experiences that extend beyond traditional screens into shared public space.

“It enables us to develop ambitious ideas with our partners and deliver innovative, accessible work for real audiences.”

Andy Truscott added: “Being a part of the Immersive Arts programme is a huge step forward for our project. Fundamentally, The Game is about the rituals that define us. By weaving together personal memories of Dundee’s football culture with the physical act of walking through the city, we’re creating a living archive.

“This support allows us to honour stories, like those of my father, and transform everyday matchday routines into a shared, immersive experience for the whole community.”

Benefitting from a £20,000 Experiment grant, Wild Wings of Hope in Edinburgh are developing an Augmented Reality (AR) experience for hospice patients and families bringing art, nature and technology together to create moments of beauty and connection in times of loss.

A £5,000 Explore grant for Lana Enix in Greenock will support development of responsive environments using large-scale projections of 3D simulations that metamorphosise in real-time in response to audience presence and behaviour.

Funding for Immersive Arts is provided through a collaboration between the UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Arts Council England (ACE), the Arts Council of Wales (ACW), Creative Scotland and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI). Funding from Creative Scotland, ACW and ACNI is provided by The National Lottery.

Morgan Petrie, Creative Industries Manager at Creative Scotland, said: “Our congratulations to this round of funded artists whose innovation and creativity are truly inspiring.

“The power of Immersive Art’s focus on technical and artistic innovation, balanced by a deep commitment to inclusion at all stages, means that we are developing a strong grassroots network of tomorrow’s global leaders in the emerging fields of creative technology.

“Today’s recipients will be key participants in the interdisciplinary networks of production and distribution needed for this ecology to thrive.

“Our support for this programme reflects our commitment to driving innovation across the creative economy. By investing together with partners from all four UK nations, we are helping to build a stronger network of people and organisations working in creative innovation.

“The new ideas and approaches supported through these awards will open up fresh ways for audiences to connect with culture, helping to shape how the arts continue to enrich people’s lives throughout the 21st century.”

Verity McIntosh, Director of Immersive Arts and Professor of Immersive Arts and Culture at University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), said: “We are delighted to be able to support so many extraordinary UK artists and projects through this latest funding announcement.

“Our thanks to the incredible partners and funders who continue to make it possible for artists to develop their practice and make bold new works with powerful cultural impact, connecting UK creativity with audiences around the world.”

The Scotland-based projects will be supported by cultural organisation Cryptic, and can be found below:

Organisation/Individual Activity Amount Location 
Dæmon Clelland Charged Encounter £50,000 Glasgow 
Biome Collective The Game £50,000 Dundee 
Adrian Hon Strandfall £20,000 Edinburgh 
Wild Wings of Hope Wild Wings of Hope in VR £20,000 Edinburgh 
Company Hame The Shape of Grief -VR £20,000 Forres 
NOCTURN Good Enough: Multisensory Queer Storytelling in Scotland £20,000 Glasgow 
Robbie Thomson Synapse £20,000 Stornoway 
Yulia Kovanova & Louis McHugh Hall of Hushes £20,000 Edinburgh 
Andrew Lawson Maclean Learning Skills. Exploring Potential. £5,000 Fort William 
Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland By Leaves We Live. When Morris Met Geddes. £5,000 Edinburgh 
OPECC ‘Reactive Determinism’ £5,000 Glasgow 
Lana Enix Responsive Simulations £5,000 Greenock 
Bootleg Parlour Magic Exploring spatial audio for games £5,000 Glasgow 
Nils Aksnes Sonic Obscura £5,000 Lochgilphead 
Sophie Bancroft  Exploring Immersive Storytelling Pathways £5,000 Edinburgh 
Stuart Brown Audiovisual Percussion in Immersive Performance £5,000 Glasgow  
Vida Boudin Otherworldly Fashion £5,000 Glasgow 

First Awards from Scottish Government’s Expanded Festivals Fund announced

The first recipients of the Scottish Government’s new Expanded Festivals Fund have been announced today, marking a major step in widening support for Scotland’s festivals, and strengthening opportunities for artists and audiences across the country. 

Creative Scotland has awarded £1,994,000 of funding to 28 festivals in the first tranche of support for the new Expanded Festivals Fund. 

Designed to enable innovation in programming and showcase Scottish and Scotland-based artists and practitioners, it supports festivals in expanding their international and domestic reach and profile and creating opportunities for skills or sector development. 

This initial round spans a wide range of artforms and locations, extending activity far beyond Edinburgh and Glasgow to communities from Orkney to the Borders, Argyll to Aberdeen, and Dumfries & Galloway to Highlands, reflecting the breadth and ambition of Scotland’s festival sector and the transformative potential of this new investment.  

Supported projects represent significant investment into opportunities for artists and creative professionals which will broaden cultural offerings for audiences, including new and innovative festival programming, international collaborations, touring opportunities and talent development programmes. 

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “Scotland has a wealth of outstanding festivals across the country which lie at the heart of our culture sector and national life.

“Our festivals’ ambitions and creativity provide focal points for activity and an invaluable platform for artists and performers to showcase their work. They also provide hundreds of millions of pounds to the economy and support a pipeline of jobs and businesses.   

“The Expanded Festivals Fund forms part of the Scottish Government’s ongoing commitment to provide an additional £100 million more annually for culture funding by 2028-29. I am heartened to see this fund support incredible projects across Scotland which will increase participation in creative pursuits and ensure festivals can commission and collaborate on new and exciting works.” 

Paul Burns, Interim Director of Arts and Engagement at Creative Scotland said: “Scotland’s festivals are a vibrant celebration of our creativity and culture, recognised and enjoyed by local communities and people from around the world.  

“The Expanded Festivals Fund is a new opportunity to profile incredible creative work in every corner of the country and support other areas vital to our festivals’ ongoing success.

“The supported projects reflect the full range of our festivals’ work – including sector and talent development, international collaboration, and the development of new projects with specific groups and communities in their areas.” 

The list of awards up to £100,000, for programmes of activity taking place between 1 May 2026 and 30 April 2028, can be found on the Creative Scotland website (see below). 

In Edinburgh, there’s funding for the HIDDEN DOOR (£57,000) and PUSH THE BOAT OUT (£71,000) festivals.

Recipients of awards of up to £200,000 will be published in May 2026.

expanded-festivals-fund-march-2026Download

£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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Funding secures theatre’s future

Cumbernauld Theatre Trust receives £150,000

The Cumbernauld Theatre Trust, in North Lanarkshire, has been awarded £150,000 transition funding from the Scottish Government to help secure its future.

The funding will ensure the future of the Theatre as a going concern, so that it can continue its cultural programme and community work, while taking steps to enhance its financial sustainability and operations.

Cumbernauld Theatre Trust was the only was the only organisation to lose regular funding when Creative Scotland announced successful bidders for Multi-Year Funding in January, as a result of its application which was unsuccessful.

A record number of cultural organisations were successful in applying for Multi-Year Funding, following a £34 million increase for culture in the arts in the 2025-26 Scottish Budget. Over half of these organisations were awarded multi-year funding for the first time, and all successful applicants who previously received regular funding got a significant uplift.

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “The Cumbernauld Theatre is an important cultural asset for North Lanarkshire and the wider culture sector in Scotland.

“As a result of its failure to secure Multi-Year Funding, the Trust faced a critical funding gap for 2026-27, which would have required the Trust to consult on redundancies.

“Given the Theatre’s significance to the community and in order to protect the sector-specific skills it provides employment opportunities for, the Scottish Government has agreed to support the Trust with £150,000 in grant funding over 2026-27, and a potential further £150,000 in 2027-28 – subject to the Trust demonstrating its sustainability issues are being resolved.

“This funding should enable the Trust to move beyond a challenging period and take the necessary steps to secure Cumbernauld Theatre’s future.”

Alan Caldwell, Chair of Cumbernauld Theatre Trust said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Cabinet Secretary Angus Robertson and the Scottish Government for our constructive conversations over the last few months and today’s announcement of its strategic investment in the future of this important cultural organisation.

“Their grant of £150,000 in 2026/27 and a potential further award in 2027/28 allows the Trust time to plan for a long-term sustainable future, while continuing to deliver its valuable work for residents in an area of Scotland which is under-served in terms of cultural and community opportunities.”

Creative Scotland has also agreed to give Cumbernauld Theatre Trust £99,557 in support of a programme of community engagement and work celebrating the town’s anniversary over the course of 2026.

BACKGROUND:

Multi-Year Funding Outcome Announcement | Creative Scotland

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Scottish Government welcomes Independent Culture Fair Work Taskforce recommendations

16 recommendations to improve working conditions in the creative industries

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has welcomed recommendations from an independent Taskforce set up to advise on current employment conditions in Scotland’s culture and creative industries.

Following extensive engagement with the sectors, the Culture Fair Work Taskforce has published a total of 16 recommendations for how Fair Work conditions in the sector could be improved, in response to concerns raised around precarious freelance work, unpaid internships and fair pay and conditions.

The recommendations include:

  • the creation of a disputes and adjudication mechanism to handle disputes between employers and staff
  • safeguarding of creatives’ work against theft from AI misappropriation, and
  • an increased role for Creative Scotland in ensuring Fair Work.

The Culture Secretary said: “I am very grateful to members of the independent Taskforce for their work on this report, which identifies a number of areas for improvement when it comes to how Fair Work is embedded in Scotland’s creative industries.

“I will take time to carefully consider the detail of the recommendations for Scottish Government and will update Parliament in due course on the actions we will take in response. Given that some would intersect with reserved legislation, I will also be writing urgently to ask my UK Government counterparts to consider what actions they can take.”

Briana Pegado, Chair of the independent Taskforce said: “It has been a pleasure chairing the Independent Culture Fair Work Taskforce with colleagues from across the creative industries and culture sector.

“Union representation, arts organisations, industry membership bodies, enterprise agencies, local authorities, creative networks, historic bodies, museums and freelancers have all been represented. Creative Scotland has also been represented on this task force. I am so grateful to the Taskforce members that have contributed their time, energy and expertise to this work.

“There has been a real commitment to crafting a set of recommendations that speak to areas as broad as fair pay and remuneration to the impact of AI on the cultural sector workforce. Considerations of equity and inclusion as well as how fair work may be enforced are all part of our recommendations.

“I am confident that many of our recommendations signal radical, innovative solutions to fair work that will help Scotland reach its ambitions to be a Fair Work Nation by 2030.

“Models across the continent have been considered and approaches across different industries have been reviewed. I am confident that our recommendations and draft charter prove to be a roadmap for the future of Fair Work that demonstrates a real appetite for systemic change can exist alongside practical solutions grounded in deeply embedded partnership working.

“I hope the Cabinet Secretary and other Ministers take our recommendations into consideration and I thank them for trusting us with this piece of work. I look forward to their response.”

Independent Culture Fair Work Task Force – Recommendations and Key Issues for a Fair Work Charter – gov.scot

Hidden Door 2026 dates confirmed after vital funding boost

Edinburgh’s pop-up arts festival confirms 2026 return following major funding boost, with immediate call for artists to get involved

Hidden Door has announced its highly anticipated return to Edinburgh next year, with the multi-arts event taking place from Wednesday 3rd to Sunday 7th June 2026.

The announcement follows confirmation of vital support from Creative Scotland’s Multi-Year Fund, a major funding commitment that secures the future of the festival through to 2027 and enables the volunteer-run charity to embark on ambitious planning for 2026.

Following the success of transforming The Paper Factory earlier this year, Hidden Door is ready to begin the search for the next wave of talent to join the 2026 programme. The festival, known for showcasing and supporting new and emerging artists, is immediately opening its doors for applications from visual artists keen to present work as part of the 2026 programme.

Further open calls will follow in the new year inviting poets, dancers, theatre-makers and other creatives to get involved. The festival provides a unique, highly visible platform for artists to reach large audiences and test new ideas within an immersive and dynamic environment.

Hazel Johnson, Hidden Door’s Director, said: “This support from the Creative Scotland Multi-Year Fund is truly transformative for Hidden Door.

“As a volunteer-run organisation, securing funding for 2026 and 2027 gives us the stability and freedom to be more ambitious than ever, allowing us to focus entirely on finding and championing incredible emerging Scottish talent.

“We are so excited to immediately open our visual art open call and to welcome the innovative ideas that will define our next chapter. We look forward to working with artists to turn another forgotten space into a vibrant cultural hub.”

Hidden Door is committed to ensuring fair pay for all artists. The funding from Creative Scotland, alongside ticket revenue, donations and sponsorship, means the festival has created paid opportunities for thousands of artists and performers since 2010.

In keeping with its tradition of transforming disused or abandoned spaces into temporary venues, the location for the 2026 festival remains a closely guarded secret for now. Hidden Door will announce the venue in the New Year, ahead of the full programme reveal.

Culture Secretary welcomes review

Opportunity to improve culture sector support

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has welcomed the publication of the independent review of Creative Scotland.

The review determined that while the organisation’s remit remains relevant, improvements in delivery and leadership are needed to support the breadth of the culture and creative sector’s needs.

Thirty-six recommendations were made with the majority for Creative Scotland, and others for enterprise agencies, local authorities and the Scottish Government.

They covered five themes of: purpose, functions and structure; governance and leadership; performance; finances and distribution of funds; and collaboration, relationships and partnerships.

The Culture Secretary said: “I warmly welcome this report that shows the area where change is needed to ensure Creative Scotland fulfils its potential to support our creative and cultural sectors. This is the first ever review of the organisation since its inception in 2010 and the context within which it operates has changed in the last 15 years.

“Having successfully delivered groundbreaking Multi-Year Funding for cultural organisations, Creative Scotland is now well placed to look at these review recommendations and help the arts and screen sector go from strength to strength.  

“As the Scottish Government continues to deliver its commitment to increase culture funding by £100 million per year, it remains vital to ensure the public sector partners tasked with supporting the sector are able to do so as effectively as possible. The recommendations of this review will be key to that.

“I will carefully consider the recommendations made for Scottish Government and will update parliament in due course.”

Chair of the independent review Angela Leitch said: “I am very grateful to everyone who has taken the time to attend an engagement session or send me their views.

“In concluding my Review of Creative Scotland it is evident that there is a need for a strong national body for the arts, culture and creative sector. However, improvements are required to ensure that Creative Scotland can fully deliver all aspects of its remit.

“While my report has focused on Creative Scotland there will need to be input from others including the Scottish Government, local authorities and enterprise agencies. It is therefore important for others to consider my recommendations.”

Read the Review report

British Council launches international artistic residency programme for those affected by war and conflict

Initiative will provide vital support and creative sanctuary for artists from conflict-affected regions

The British Council, in partnership with Arts Council England, Creative Scotland and Arts Council of Wales/Wales Arts International, today announces the launch of a major new residency programme designed to support artists and cultural professionals whose work has been impacted by war and conflict.

The programme will see nine artists and cultural professionals from Lebanon, Yemen, Palestine, and Ukraine undertake residencies at leading cultural institutions across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The initiative builds upon a successful pilot project held in Scotland in 2023 during the UK/Ukraine Season of Culture, which was delivered by the British Council in partnership with Creative Scotland and Ukrainian Institute.

Starting this month and running until July 2026, the residencies will take place at prominent institutions renowned for their expertise in supporting artists across diverse art forms, from contemporary art to literature and film.

Each residency will last between four and twelve weeks, tailored to meet the specific requirements of both the host organisation and the visiting creative professional.

The programme aims to provide creative practitioners from countries affected by war and conflict with essential quiet time, care, and connections within the UK cultural sector.

This support is designed not only to nurture their individual practice and build their networks, but also to strengthen the communities they work with in their home countries.

Host organisations participating in the programme include Ulster University/Belfast Film Festival (Northern Ireland); Llenyddiaeth Cymru | Literature Wales (Wales); Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop (Scotland); Cove Park (Scotland); Moniack Mhor (Scotland); Pier Arts Centre (Orkney Island, Scotland); Delfina Foundation (England); ACME Studios (England); and Baltic Centre for Contemporary ArtEngland).

The programme also offers host organisations a valuable opportunity to expand their understanding of new cultural contexts, demonstrate solidarity with fellow artists, and develop expertise in supporting colleagues working under extremely challenging conditions.

It also helps connect participants to the wider arts sector, offering fresh insights that can spark new collaborations – benefiting not only the individuals involved but also enriching the host institutions and the sector more broadly.

This initiative reflects the British Council’s commitment to supporting international cultural exchange and providing support for artists whose creative work continues despite the pressures of conflict and displacement.

Artist Yasmine Rifaii, who will be hosted at Cove Park, said: “I have been craving distance from the noise of cities for a while now, so that I may sit with myself and let my thoughts brew into formation.

“The Cove Park residency came at the right time. I look forward to immersing myself with both the silence of nature, and the presence of fellow artists seeking the same experience.”

Anastasiya Gruba, who will be hosted by Ulster University, said: “This residency gives me the opportunity to complete a new version of the script for my tragicomic feature film Women Suicide Season, which I hope will be my feature directorial debut.

“I’m especially excited that the Belfast Film Festival will take place during my stay – it’s a wonderful chance to connect with the Northern Irish film community and international industry professionals.

“And I must admit, I’ve always dreamed of seeing the stunning landscapes of the Emerald Isle firsthand! There’s so much to do, and I can’t wait to dive in.

“I’m truly grateful to the British Council, Belfast Film Festival, and Ulster University for making this possible.”

Tania Rodionova, who will be hosted by Literature Wales, said: “Being a cultural manager doesn’t always allow for having time and space for my personal creative work. And life in Ukraine during the war time makes it even harder.

“So, my expectations for the residency in Ty Newydd is mainly to have this special space however my professional interest in local literature organisations and future cooperation opportunities cannot be ignored!”

Ruth Mackenzie, Director of Arts at the British Council said: “This residency programme recognises that supporting these artists and creatives is about building bridges across our global arts community and contributing to peace and prosperity.

“Just as the British Council was established in 1934 to support artists and creatives in countries across the world in the face of political danger, we continue this mission today. This programme provides space for artistic practice while strengthening the communities these artists support and nourish in their home countries.”

Laura Mackenzie-Stuart, Head of International at Creative Scotland said: “We are delighted to continue this residency programme through our on-going partnership with the British Council.

“The pilot programme in 2023 provided vital access to creative opportunity for artists in Ukraine at a time when accessing facilities in their home country was a huge challenge.

“The five selected artists made Scotland their home for a few weeks but left having made friends and colleagues for life. We wish the next (expanded) round of artists the same creative joy and success in their residencies across the UK.”

Dafydd Rhys, Chief Executive of Arts Council of Wales, said: “This programme embodies the spirit of collaboration that sits at the heart of Arts Council of Wales’s work, and in terms of international connections, the work of our international arm Wales Arts International.

“Through our partnership with Literature Wales, we’re delighted to take part in this initiative to create a space of care and creative exchange, linking Wales with artists whose stories speak to our shared humanity across borders.

“The residency will give Tania time to develop her practice and share her experiences, while enriching Wales’s own literary community with fresh perspectives on resilience, language and the role of art in uncertain times.”

Simon Mellor, Deputy CEO Arts Council England, said: “Arts Council England is proud to be a partner in this important residency scheme, offering artists coming from places of conflict the opportunity to make new connections and to build new networks of support.

“We are particularly glad to join with our sister agencies in extending this initiative across the whole UK, building a body of relationships between creatives and communities both here and in Ukraine.”

Full Line-up Announced for Soundhouse Winter Festival

Thursday 27 November to Monday 1 December 2025

www.soundhousewinterfest.com

The 2025 Soundhouse Winter Festival returns from Thursday 27 November to Monday 1 December at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh, thanks to support from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland.

The festival showcases musicians either from, or based in Scotland, and runs over St Andrews Day and the Fair Saturday weekend. The programme includes some of Scotland’s finest jazz, and trad musicians, a showcase of emerging new musicians, music workshops for adults and young people, and a silent film accompanied by live music.

Headliners include experimental folk band Constant Follower led by songwriter Steven McAll playing tracks from their latest album Let the Healing Begin which has recently been added to the long list for the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) award, 2024’s Scottish Jazz Vocalist of the Year Niki King; genre blending spoken word artist, rapper, and rising star Bee Asha; andguitarist Chris Amer and his Sextet (Matt Carmichael, Fergus McCreadie, Gus Stirrat, Stephen Henderson and Mhairi Marwick) performing music from their new collection Making Peace With What Is.

In addition, award-winning Scottish composer and guitarist Graeme Stephen will present his score for the 1927 silent film Metropolis, performedby Stephen on guitar and a classical string quartet lead by Fiona Winning on viola.

The quartet is completed by Tom Hanky (violin), George Smith (violin) and Robert Irvine (‘cello). Graeme will also be giving a non-participatory masterclass in Developing Concepts for Composition, Improvisation and Practice, for learners to explore creative ways to turn their ideas into compositions.

Other highlights over the weekend include harpist and lead vocalist Dara Dubh performing fan favourites and new tracks with Tony McVey on drums, Eve Simpson on keys/vocals and Brad Phillips on doublebass.

Multi-instrumentalist and folk singer Cahalen Morrison performing songs from his forthcoming album with his freshly minted trio; and jazz saxaphonist Rachel Duns, whose music ranges from blues and soul, to thepsychedelic sounds of the 1960s.

Over the weekend, audiences will also be treated to an afternoon concert from Scottish/Egyptian instrumentalists and composers The Ayoub Sisters who rose to stardom after their debut album premiered at No.1 in the Official Classical Charts.

Plus, three emerging artists playing in this year’s Spotlight concert, showcasing the very best up and coming jazz musicians in Scotland.

They include guitarist and double bass player Timmy Allan who won the BBC Scotland Young Jazz Musician of the Year Award in 2024 and this year’s Alan McAuley Jazz Award; The Ewan Johnston Trio formed of pianist Ewan Johnston, Christopher Quinnon on bass and Roan Anderson on drums; and the Milele Collective a young five-piece making waves on the Scottish scene with their jazz, latin and afro grooves.

In addition, cellist and improvisor Simone Seales will be giving an Improvisation Workshop for beginners on how to make sound without musical notation, open to amateur or experienced instrumentalists, vocalists or musicians from any other discipline.  

Douglas Robertson and Jane-Ann Purdy, co-producers said: “After last year’s multi-genre celebration of the Scottish music scene, we are delighted to be back for our second annual Soundhouse Winter Festival.

“We’ll be presenting jazz, pop, rap, classical, soul, funk, folk, trad, and many points where those categories intersect. It will be heartwarming, life affirming and a great antidote to the November blues. We extend a warm welcome to all: come and be part of Edinburgh’s great music-loving community.“

Alan Morrison, Head of Music at Creative Scotland said: “The closes and wynds of the capital are about to come alive as the Soundhouse Winter Festival returns to Edinburgh with another excellent array of rising stars and familiar faces.

“This compact and perfectly curated programme offers plenty of opportunities to discover new talent across an extended weekend in November, with must-see gigs each and every day.

“Organised by the same people as Edinburgh’s rejuvenated Tradfest, the quality of music is guaranteed to be top-level, with something to suit all tastes.”

Booking link for tickets – soundhousewinterfest.com

Showcasing Scotland’s arts festivals

£1.8 million to expand funding reach

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has announced £1.8 million in grant support for arts and cultural festivals to put the spotlight on artistic talent across the country.

The funding is available to non-profit arts and cultural festivals in Scotland and is designed to help them ‘push creative boundaries’ and enhance their international reputation on the world stage.

The fund builds on the success of the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund and helps deliver a key commitment in the Scottish Budget 2025-26 to expand the reach of the fund across Scotland.

Awards of up to £200,000 will be available in the first year and will be administered by Creative Scotland. The grants can be used for raising the international profile of festivals and to support other areas vital to their success, such as for sector and talent development and to open access to educational groups.

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “Scotland has a wealth of outstanding festivals up and down the country. They are at the at the heart of our culture sector and national life, bringing us together through our enjoyment of art, literature, music and other performing arts.

“By increasing investment into festivals across the country we are supporting their commissions of and collaborations on new and exciting works, increasing opportunities for participation in creative pursuits and ensuring Scotland’s cultural highlights can be enjoyed at home and abroad.

“The new fund is a direct result of discussions through the Strategic Partnership for Festivals, a focal point that brings together diverse representation from arts festivals and a broader range group of partners who support them.

“Collaboration with the sector is vital and this group will be crucial in supporting the implementation and development of this fund in the coming months.”

Chief Executive of Creative Scotland Iain Munro said: “Scotland’s festivals are a vibrant celebration of our creativity and culture, recognised and enjoyed by local communities and people from around the world.

“The expanded festivals fund is a new opportunity to profile incredible creative work in every corner of the country and support other areas vital to success – from sector and talent development to further experimentation and space to develop ambitions with specific groups and communities.

“Working with festivals nationwide, this investment will support artists, widen community engagement and further strengthen Scotland’s impressive international reputation.”

Further information and detailed guidance notes for festivals will be available through Creative Scotland.