From today, Thursday 10 December 2020, applications are invited from the dance, theatre and multi artform sector for a share in £600K National Lottery funding through Creative Scotland, for live performance tours from Spring 2021.
In this latest round of theTheatre and Dance Touring Fund, applications are invited from Scotland-based dance and theatre artists, companies and organisations, independent dance and theatre producers and venues, for the making and touring of new work or the restaging of previous work for presentation to live audiences under Covid-19 restrictions, in a minimum of three locations across Scotland.
Iain Munro, Creative Scotland’s CEOsaid: “Supporting Scotland’s theatre and dance touring infrastructure is important, helping high quality theatre in Scotland to flourish and creating opportunities for more people across the country to experience and enjoy it.
“Made possible by the generosity of National Lottery players who raise £30 million for good causes across the UK every week, this round of the Theatre and Dance Touring Fund responds directly to the challenging position that theatres, venues, producers, artists, companies and their audiences are in due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Creative Scotland is also seeking five external panel members to work alongside Creative Scotland staff to decide the successful applications in this round of the Fund.
Panel members will be expected to hold credible professional knowledge and expertise of the Theatre and Dance Touring sector in Scotland, either from a programming perspective or as a maker/producer of touring work.
The Deadline for applications is 12 noon, Thursday 7 January 2021 through the Scottish Government e-Tendering System, Public Contracts Scotland.
A debut poetry collection, a collaborative funk and soul album, and the publication of four new books by female authors are among the Edinburgh-based creative projects and research and development initiatives sharing in over £820K of National Lottery and Scottish Government funding through Creative Scotland in the latest round of Open Fund awards.
Award-winning poet Sam Buchan-Watts has received funding towards debut collection Path Through Woods, which draws on the writer’s experience of working with asylum seekers and oral histories. The funds will also support Sam to widen the audience for his work by building on relationships with small publishers.
Sam Buchan-Watts said: “This funding has made possible the development and completion of my first book-length poetry collection, centred on the means of listening to vulnerable subjects.
“I am enormously grateful for the work Creative Scotland does to make writers and artists feel valued – especially in a time when many struggle to stay buoyant, spiritually and materially.”
Funk and soul band James Brown is Annie have also received funds to create a collaborative album with award-winning jazz and folk artists.
Featuring eight original tracks written during lockdown, the album will be produced by platinum-selling Scottish musician Hamish Stuart. Hamish is best known as the frontman of Average White Band and has previously worked with artists including Sir Paul McCartney and Aretha Franklin.
Polygon have also been awarded funds to publish four new works from female authors at various stages of their careers.
Iain Munro, Chief Executive, Creative Scotland said: “The Open Fund is enabling creative people and organisations to explore ways of working that is helping them to adapt and respond to the current changing circumstances brought about as a result of Covid-19.
“From researching and developing new work and practices, to exploring safe ways to reach and engage audiences, these projects reflect the resilience, innovation and determination of Scotland’s creative community in the face of extremely challenging circumstances.
“Made possible by the generosity of National Lottery players, who raise £30 million for good causes across the UK every week, and the Scottish Government, these awards are helping to sustain the immense value that creativity adds to our lives.”
Further awards from the Culture Organisations and Venues Recovery Fund
Thirty further organisations across Scotland have received a total of £1.4million through the Scottish Government’s Culture Organisations and Venues Recovery Fund.
The funding provides welcome emergency support to a range of venues and organisations covering comedy, music, nightclubs, performing arts, publishing, visual arts, as well as festivals and cultural support infrastructure.
Designed to protect jobs and support the sustainability of organisations threatened with insolvency by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, today’s news follows the announcement of £11.75million awarded to 203 organisations and venues through this fund on Thursday 5 November.
Culture Secretary, Fiona Hyslop said: “The £15 million Culture Organisations and Venues Recovery Fund is crucial for supporting the culture sector through this pandemic, and is designed to help organisations cope with the immediate issues they are facing and to help save jobs.
“This emergency funding will be a lifeline for a wide range of organisations from craft to theatre, galleries to production companies.
“We are determined to do everything within our powers to support the culture sector and we will continue to work closely with stakeholders and Creative Scotland to provide additional help where needed.”
Iain Munro, CEO, Creative Scotland said: “In addition to those announced previously, these funds provide much needed emergency support to even more venues and organisations across Scotland which are experiencing significant difficulties as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Today’s announcement forms part of a broader package of support for people and organisations that we are working at pace to deliver on behalf of the Scottish Government, with more to come.”
The further 30 organisations receiving funding from the Scottish Government’s Culture Organisations and Venues Recovery Fund are:
Organisation (Trading name)
Funding Amount
Local Authority Area
Active Events
£15,000
North Ayrshire
A-Line Group
£70,000
Aberdeenshire
Alzatar Ltd (B Bar)
£65,000
City of Edinburgh
BD 2011 Ltd (Blue Dog)
£16,000
Glasgow City
Ceilidh Club
£29,917
Midlothian
Charco Press
£15,000
City of Edinburgh
Compass Gallery
£42,203
Glasgow City
Cove Park
£20,795
Argyll and Bute
Cuba Club Ltd (Club Cuba)
£37,517
City of Edinburgh
East Ayrshire Leisure
£71,000
East Ayrshire
Edinburgh Open Workshop
£30,000
City of Edinburgh
Edinburgh Science
£115,000
City of Edinburgh
Elderco (Word Up)
£104,482
Inverclyde
F4F event services Ltd.
£50,000
Fife
Flag Promotions Ltd
£15,214
Glasgow City
Great Junction Events Ltd (Old Dr Bells Baths)
£75,000
City of Edinburgh
Hemelvaart Bier Cafe Ayton Ltd
£24,000
Scottish Borders
Kelburn Arts Limited (Kelburn Garden Party)
£65,000
North Ayrshire
Panoptic Events
£15,299
Glasgow City
Red Bridge Arts
£85,000
Fife
Rogue City Productions
£26,500
City of Edinburgh
Scottish Sculpture Workshop
£36,580
Aberdeenshire
Shazam Theatre Company
£20,000
Aberdeenshire
Skye Live
£40,000
Highland
SS Press
£40,000
City of Edinburgh
The Birchvale Players
£15,746
Dumfries and Galloway
The Biscuit Factory
£50,000
City of Edinburgh
The Dovecot Foundation
£125,000
City of Edinburgh
Venue 45 Ltd (the SpaceUK)
£40,000
City of Edinburgh
West End Festival (Glasgow)
£24,000
Glasgow City
Total
£1,379,253
Updates on all emergency funds are being published regularly on this website and publicised through media and social media communications.
Image: Sparks from the iron furnace at the Scottish Sculpture Workshop’s 40th birthday celebrations (Creative Scotland)
A broad range of 203 organisations and venues across Scotland have received a total of £11.75million in emergency support through the Scottish Government’s Culture Organisations and Venue Recovery Fund.
Support has been provided to a range of venues and organisations working in comedy, festivals, music, nightclubs, performing arts, publishing, visual arts, as well as the cultural support infrastructure.
Designed to protect jobs and support the sustainability of organisations threatened with insolvency by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, eligibility criteria and guidelines for applying to the Fund were published on Thursday 10 September ahead of opening for applications on Thursday 17 September. 348 applications were received totalling over £22million.
This is the first tranche of awards to be made from this Fund, which is being delivered through Creative Scotland, and a further announcement will follow regarding the remaining applications and funds within the next two weeks.
Culture Secretary, Fiona Hyslopsaid: “The Scottish Government is determined to do everything within our powers to see the sector through this crisis.
“This emergency funding will provide vital support to a wide range of cultural organisations and venues across Scotland currently facing extreme challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic. It has been designed specifically to help organisations cope with the immediate issues they are facing and to help save jobs.
“I am pleased to see such a wide range of organisations supported, from comedy clubs and theatres to galleries and production companies.”
Iain Munro, CEO, Creative Scotlandsaid: “The funds being announced today offer some further welcome support to help protect jobs across a wide range of businesses in Scotland.
“The negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on Scotland‘s creative and cultural sector are clearly ongoing, and we will continue to keep focussed, with the Scottish Government and other partners, on helping those people and organisations in most need.”
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.”
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.
£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:
Updates on all emergency funds are being published regularly on the Creative Scotland website and publicised through media and social media communications.
The Dominion, Filmhouse Edinburgh and Edinburgh-based touring cinema operators Regional Screen Scotland and the INDY Cinema Group are among 30 independent cinemas and two touring operators to receive £3.55 million from the Scottish Government’s Independent Cinema Recovery and Resilience Fund and The National Lottery, through Screen Scotland.
The Fund, which aims to bridge the immediate financial gap faced by independently owned cinemas as a result of COVID-19, will now support these cinemas who can operate in the short-term, within Scottish Government guidelines, and help others towards reopening, when it is safe to do so.
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culturesaid: “We understand the severe impact this pandemic has had on businesses across Scotland, including our independent cinemas which play such an important role in communities across the country.
“We have had to make some really difficult decisions recently that will impact on cinemas which have worked so hard to re-open safely, but we have to put health considerations above everything else and I hope this funding, along with the business support that will be available, will help independent cinemas cope with all the challenges they face.
“Culture is vitally important to all of our lives, and we are determined to do everything within our powers to see the sector through this crisis. This fund is part of the ongoing financial support the Scottish Government is making available to the sector.”
Sambrooke Scott, Head of Audience Development at Screen Scotlandsaid: “Independent cinemas have always played a vital role in communities across Scotland, bringing people together to immerse themselves in great film experiences from filmmakers around the world, and around the corner.
“It’s been the most challenging of times for these hard-working venues but, with the help of this Scottish Government and National Lottery support, they will continue to open and operate safely as local restrictions allow.
“By putting stringent measures in place to protect staff and audiences alike they will open where able and bring the magic and escapism of cinema back, which is something we need now more than ever.”
The Dominion Cinemasaid: “We are very fortunate to be in a position to benefit from the Recovery and Resilience Fund for Independent Cinema.
“This will allow us to maintain our position in the industry and help enable us to welcome our loyal patrons back when the time is right.”
Ian Brown, Group CEO and Founderof Edinburgh-based touring cinema operator the INDY Cinema Group said: “This support from Screen Scotland has been crucial in ensuring that INDY Cinema Group and its team are here both now and for the future to support our cinemas and communities across Scotland.
“Without the support all our work over the past 10 years to assist in building community cinemas, commercial independents and ever growing cinema support services for our industry was at risk of being lost.
“Now we are in a position to not just survive but ensure that we are ready for the challenge to come and helping all of our communities and cinemas grow again”
Ken Hay, CEO of Centre for the Moving Image(Filmhouse Edinburgh) said: “Cinemas are the heart of many communities and Filmhouse and Belmont Filmhouse are no different.
“Our communities want us to be open so that we can dim the lights and help people escape everything else for a couple of hours with the magic of cinema – and they’ve already donated over £100,000 so that we can do just that.
“And this funding from Screen Scotland will be integral in keeping both cinemas open over the next 5 months – when we’re allowed to be.”
Robert Livingstoneof Edinburgh-based Regional Screen Scotland, operator of the touring cinema The Screen Machine said: “The Independent Cinema Recovery Fund is a crucial measure to help to sustain cinemas across Scotland.
“At Regional Screen Scotland we’re very grateful for this support, as it will allow us to begin touring again with the Screen Machine, by compensating for the box office income lost through the need to maintain 2m physical distancing.
“This means we can bring at least some Christmas cheer to many smaller communities in the Highlands.”
New opportunities to help broaden socio-economic diversity in the cultural sector
Seven Scottish arts organisations are to host year-long paid creative fellowships designed to broaden socio-economic diversity in the arts as part of the Weston Jerwood Creative Bursaries programme.
Thanks to £100,000 funding from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland, the Bursaries will support early-career development of creative professionals such as artists, curators and producers from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds, across Scotland.
The seven host organisations and the roles being offered in Scotland are:
Applications for the Bursaries for Edinburgh Printmakers and The Workroom/Tramway are now live, while Aberdeen Performing Arts, ATLAS Arts, Eden Court and Red Note will launch their application dates soon with updates posted on their websites and social channels.
Lilli Geissendorfer, director of Jerwood Arts, commented: “I’m delighted that Weston Jerwood Creative Bursaries Fellows will be hosted across Scottish arts and cultural organisations.
“They all applied to be part of the programme before COVID-19 had been identified, so it is heartening that making their organisations more diverse and inclusive is still high on their agenda despite the additional challenges they are facing.
“It speaks to the resilience I have been inspired by from all corners of the arts and cultural sector in recent months to find the silver linings in the bleakest of times and commit to creating a stronger sector that everyone will benefit from.”
Shân Edwards, CEO, Edinburgh Printmakerssaid: “We are excited to be taking part in the Fellowship programme at this time. As we emerge from the shock of lockdown and begin to rebuild our programmes, we need to reconnect across boundaries and tackle inequality.
“Edinburgh Printmakers has a strong track record in training and development, and it has never felt more urgent to overcome a lack of accessible, quality, professional experiences and opportunities.”
Previous Scottish host organisations includeNational Theatre of Scotland, Dundee Rep & Scottish Dance Theatre, The Common Guild, Glasgow International and the Royal Lyceum Theatre.
Joan Parr, Director of Arts & Engagement, Creative Scotlandsaid: “Fair access to careers in the arts is a pressing issue facing the sector, and hearing diverse voices enriches us all.
“With support from The National Lottery these transformative opportunities are being made possible from Skye to Edinburgh, Aberdeen to Inverness, and go some way to ensuring that the most talented people, regardless of background, are given the chance to succeed and contribute to a more vibrant arts sector for us all.”
Photograph: Felicity Cranshaw. Simone Kenyon, Into the Mountain (2019) produced by Scottish Sculpture Workshop.
Applications are now open for bursaries of up to £750 of National Lottery funding, through Creative Scotland’s Visual Artist and Craft Maker Awards (VACMA) programme.
Delivered in partnership with local partners across Scotland, these one-off grants aim to support the creative development of visual artists and craft makers at all stages of their career.
This year’s VACMA programme offers two fixed fee bursaries – the first is a £750 grant for visual artists and craft makers who can demonstrate a commitment to developing their creative practice; the second is a grant of £500 for new graduates/emerging artists.
VACMA funding has previously supported projects including skills development and courses, artistic mentoring, researching a new body of work and experimenting with new materials.
Full eligibility criteria and a list of participating local partners through which applications will be made, is available on the Creative Scotland website.
The deadlines for applications are:
Autumn: 5pm, Tuesday 10 November 2020
Winter: 5pm, Tuesday 2 February 2021
Amanda Catto, Head of Visual Arts, Creative Scotlandsaid: “These bursaries are invaluable in supporting the creative development of artists and craft makers across Scotland.
“With thanks to National Lottery players who make these awards possible, we’re pleased to be working with local partners to deliver the scheme across 25 Local Authority areas, offering grants to emerging and more established practitioners, alike.”
Free, online information sessions about the Visual Artist and Craft Maker Awards will be held on Thursday 15 and Tuesday 27th October from 10am – 11am.
Hosted by local partner representatives and members of Creative Scotland’s Visual Arts Team, the sessions will include an overview of the scheme, followed by a panel discussion and Q+A.
Booking is required to take part in the sessions. This can be done here for Thursday 15 October, and here for Tuesday 27 October.
Scottish Book Trust, the national charity transforming lives through reading and writing, has today announced the shortlist for the 2021 Bookbug Picture Book Prize. Now in its fifth year, the shortlist includes Morag Hood, Ross Collins and Zoë Ingram.
The award was established to celebrate the most popular picture books by Scottish authors and illustrators and to encourage reading for pleasure.
The winner is chosen by thousands of children across the country who can cast their votes online either at school with their teacher or at home with their families, via the Scottish Book Trust website.
THE BOOKBUG PICTURE BOOK PRIZE 2021 SHORTLIST IS:
Brenda is a Sheep by Morag Hood (Two Hoots)
This is a Dog by Ross Collins (Nosy Crow)
My First Book of Birds illustrated by Zoë Ingram (Walker Books)
Morag Hood and Zoë Ingram are both from Edinburgh, while Ross Collins is from Glasgow.
The 2021 shortlist features Brenda who believes she is a sheep but is different from her fluffy friends; a dog that steals the show and plans to keep it that way, and an illustrated spotter’s guide that is an ideal introduction to garden birds.
Families can watch the books being read aloud here.
The winner of the Bookbug Picture Book Prize will be announced in an exclusive video to all registered groups on Thursday 4 March 2021 (World Book Day).
The winner will receive a specially commissioned trophy and £2,000 while shortlisted authors and illustrators receive £500 per book.
62,000 pupils across Scotland will receive a free copy of each of the three books on the shortlist, which are given to every Primary 1 child during Book Week Scotland (16 November – 22 November), in the Bookbug P1 Family Bag.
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said:“It’s always a delight to see familiar faces on the Bookbug Picture Book Prize, which was established to celebrate the work of great authors and illustrators in Scotland.
“We hope families across the country will enjoy reading these books together, and vote for the one they enjoy most.”
Alan Bett, Literature Officer at Creative Scotland, said:“The Bookbug Picture Book Prize promotes reading for enjoyment and engages young readers, not only through a fantastic shortlist of titles, but also by empowering them with the decision to choose the winner. Congratulations to all the shortlisted authors and illustrators.”
The deadline for voting is Friday 5 February at 5pm.
Performing arts venues across Edinburgh and the Lothians have received £1,325,698 from the open call for applications to the Scottish Government’s Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund through Creative Scotland.
Awards made to Edinburgh and the Lothians performing arts venues as part of the £5million open call are as follows:
Assembly (The Roxy), £85,000
Capital Theatres Trust (Festival Theatre and King’s Theatre), £250,000
Edinburgh City Council (Usher Hall), £240,450
Howden Park Theatre, £95,000
Leith Theatre, £138,214
Out of the Blue, £67,034
Queen’s Hall, £175,000
The Brunton Theatre, £250,000
The Regal, Bathgate, £25,000
Designed to support performing arts venues that cannot yet re-open due to the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Fund is helping to:
Remove the threat of insolvency prior to the end of March 2021 to enable the development and delivery of activity as soon as practicable
Allow for specialist / core staff to return from furlough or avoid redundancy to work on future sustainable activity plans
Increase commissioning and employment opportunities for freelance artists and creative practitioners (between now and end of March 2021) to support continued public engagement while closed
Iain Munro, CEO, Creative Scotlandsaid: “Despite the ongoing, detrimental impact that the Covid-19 pandemic is having on Scotland’s performing arts venues, and on culture as a whole, it is positive that we can offer some funding to help venues navigate these extremely challenging times.
“I’m also encouraged to see that this funding will help venues across many different parts of Scotland where they form such an important part of the cultural life of local communities.”
These venues are among 59 across Scotland sharing a total of £4.74million from the Scottish Government’s Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund’s £5million open call. A full list of all 59 venues can be found on the Creative Scotland website.
Jude Henderson, Director of the Federation of Scottish Theatre(FST) said: “We welcome the announcement of these emergency awards to performing arts venues across the country.
“The funds will help to support the vital work they do in serving communities, providing employment and showcasing Scotland’s world class theatre and dance offer, much of which is created by our members.”
Today’s news follows the £1,719,000 previously awarded to venues across Edinburgh through the targeted strand of the fund, including Dance Base, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company, The Storytelling Centre/TRACS and Traverse Theatre.
The Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund is one of a series of measures being put in place to help mitigate the immediate impacts of COVID-19 on the creative and cultural sector, including five new emergency funds which were announced by the First Minister on Friday 28 August and are being delivered through Creative Scotland as follows:
The £5million Creative Freelancer Hardship Fund, for which we issued an open call for partner organisations to help us distribute this fund, was launched on Friday 11 September, and has a deadline of Friday 25 September. We aim to be able to distribute funds from October. The Screen element of these Hardship Funds opened for applications on Tuesday 22 September.
The £5million Sustaining Creative Practice Fund includes £1.5million for the Culture Collective programme, mentioned in the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government, supporting organisations employing freelance artists to work in and with communities across Scotland. The remaining £3.5million has been added to Creative Scotland’s existing Open Fund which is open for applications from individuals now.
The previously announced £2.2million Grassroots Venues Stabilisation Fund has reached 72 venues across. Recipients were published on Tuesday 22 September and full information on awards made, can be found on the Creative Scotland website.
Updates on all emergency funds are being published regularly on the Creative Scotland website and publicised through media and social media communications.
