Creative Scotland is pleased to announce the Open Fund for Individuals will reopen for applications at 2pm on Tuesday 8 October, following confirmation of release of the necessary budget from the Scottish Government.
By the time the fund closed on Friday 30 August, Creative Scotland received an additional 819 applications totalling £11.9 million in requested funding. As the fund prepares to reopen, we will be in touch with all applicants who submitted before the closure to advise them of their options.
Updates to the Open Fund for Individuals
The Open Fund for Individuals has been under increasing pressure. Since 2019, applications have more than doubled – from 628 to 1,395 in 2022/23, with funding requests increasing by £7.8 million to £21.2 million.
Notably, there has been a 42% increase in requested funding in the past year alone. However, during this same period, Creative Scotland’s budgets have remained at the same level, making this growth unsustainable.
To help address this, Creative Scotland is revising the Open Fund for Individuals to better meet the growing demand.
Updates will include the maximum award amount reducing from £100,000 to £50,000 and decision timescales extending by two weeks.
The updated guidance will be published on Tuesday 8 October.
Guidance for both funds and application questions will be available from this Thursday – 19 September.
Iain Munro, CEO of Creative Scotland said: “We recognise the time and effort that goes into applying for funding and know how vital these funds are for the sector.
“We understand how challenging recent events have been and sincerely thank everyone for their continued efforts in highlighting the value of culture and creativity.”
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.”
“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.”
Musical learning and nurture supported for thousands
Almost 4,000 children and young people will have the opportunity to realise their potential through music education supported by £2.6 million of Scottish Government funding.
Sistema Scotland’s Big Noise programme uses music and nurturing relationships to improve the lives of children and young people and strengthen communities. It offers all instruments, tuition, snacks and participation free of charge to families across Stirling, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh.
First Minister John Swinney confirmed the funding as he watched performances from school pupils at Sistema Scotland’s dedicated space at the Community Campus in Raploch.
Among those taking part were a group of Primary 2 pupils from Our Lady’s Primary School in Raploch, as well as the centre’s beginner strings group, a woodwind, brass and percussion group made up of primary school pupils, the Redfire intermediate strings group and the Raploch string ensemble, made up of high school students and school leavers.
The First Minister said: “Music and the arts have power to bring people together, and I am consistently impressed with Big Noise’s efforts to ensure children and young people across five cities have the opportunity to learn, play and perform.
“As well as the opportunity to perform, Big Noise gives the young people they work with a community – and as they progress through the programme they have developmental opportunities including to gain leadership skills, which are beneficial to them in the world of work even if they do not pursue a musical path.
“I am grateful to Sistema Scotland for continuing to enrich the lives of so many children and young people by making music accessible and inclusive.”
Vicky Williams, Sistema Scotland Chief Executive said: “We are enormously grateful to the Scottish Government for their continuing support of Big Noise in Scotland.
“This funding means we can do more to support young people and families, tackle poverty and inequality and help build firm foundations for the future of our young people.
“Our work over the past 15 years has transformed lives throughout Scotland and we look forward to continuing this critical work with the support of our partners and funders.”
Shannon Galloway, 17, from Raploch, joined Big Noise when she was five years old. She spent the summer working as an intern at the Raploch centre, and has a place at Aberdeen University to study music, with her sights set on becoming a music therapist.
She said the programme had given her opportunities she would never have dreamed of – including her first trip abroad to India last year, and playing on stage with the RSNO and Nicola Benedetti. It also boosted her confidence and skills and helped her towards a positive future.
Shannon said: “I just don’t know what I would have done without Big Noise. I wouldn’t be going to university because I wouldn’t have discovered music. I had no interest before and now it is my entire life. It opened this whole life path for me.”
Meanwhile uncertainty remains over arts and culture funding in Scotland. Here’s hoping that this can be resolves soon and at least some of these talented and enthusiastic young people will have the opportunity to perform in later life.
We, the undersigned, are artists, arts workers, and/or audience members from across Scotland. We are the people of Scotland. We live and work here. We value the arts and the artists who make it.
We are writing to you about the closure of Creative Scotland’s Open Fund for Individuals, due to the Scottish Government being unable to confirm the release of £6.6 million of funding from the Grant-in-Aid budget. This decision shocks and deeply concerns us, and places the future of the arts in Scotland at risk.
The Open Fund for Individuals is the cornerstone of the arts in Scotland. It is the only fund of its kind to support artists to lead projects, develop their practice, support their professional development and collaborate with other artists and/or communities.
One grant awarded to an individual provides meaningful employment, creative development, allows space for artistic risk and experimentation. Many of these grants support multiple artists and arts workers through paid job opportunities. Grants for individuals can also support organisations through the filling of theatres, galleries and music festivals.
One grant can kickstart or extend a career, allow an artist to present their work to the public, develop a new stream of income, develop their entrepreneurial and business skills. Take artworks to market and present for Scottish audiences, leading to international tours and commercial successes. They provide a training ground for the arts leaders of tomorrow, allowing artists to skill up through experience of running their own projects and developing new networks.
One grant can place artists in schools, in care homes, working 1-to-1 with folk who do not like a crowd, or with whole communities at a time, and bring a multitude of positive personal, social and wellbeing benefits. It can reduce isolation and bring people together. It can inspire and delight. It can help people find their voice, and see their experiences and stories represented.
The Open Fund for Individuals has an enormous impact. It is a lifeline for artists and arts workers. Beyond the individual grants and their benefits, its existence also means an enormous amount to people across Scotland, because it supports people who are not independently wealthy to be artists. It tells us that we have a right to creativity and the arts, a right to joy and wellbeing, and a right to emotion and expression.
Without the fund, the future is bleak, and bleakest for those who are isolated and marginalised by income, geography, race, class, age, faith, caring responsibilities, gender, sex, sexuality, or disability. Those who do not have savings to fall back on, family support to sustain them, or who have to work harder to bring their work to audiences are at risk of being unable to sustain a career in the arts. The loss of these talents and perspectives in the arts leaves us all poorer.
The arts in Scotland contribute £5bn annually to the economy but they are now at breaking point. We cannot continue without direct support for our artists, arts workers & self employed people. The damage to the arts caused by the closure of the fund is immediate and long lasting. Cut it now, and it could take a generation to build back.
We urge you to fund the reopening of the Open Fund for Individuals as a matter of urgency. We ask that you provide clear guidance on the in-year and future annual budgets so that the arts in Scotland can begin to plan, develop ideas, build upon past successes and deliver a vibrant future for us all.
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Traverse Theatre statement on closure of the Open Fund
The Scottish theatre community is in need of support more than ever in light of the cuts to arts funding. Gareth Nicholls, Artistic Director of the Traverse, said last night:
“We at the Traverse wanted to use our platform to the world on the final day of the festival to make you aware of this, and of the significant impact funding cuts are having on our nation’s artists and theatres.
“New work in Scotland doesn’t come from nothing. And one of the key ways this has been achieved is through an open fund where an individual artist can ask for money when their idea is but a seed.
“The open fund is the incubator for Scottish work, but Creative Scotland has been forced to close the fund at 2pm on Friday. It will be closed indefinitely, due to the Scottish Government being unable to confirm funding for its delivery.
“Many on our stages, and whose work you’ve enjoyed at the festivals, have been dependent upon it, alongside wider arts subsidy. It is a fund that helps build careers and craft to get an idea off the ground, and which helps places like the Traverse keep our theatres alive with bold new ideas.
“If you enjoy seeing Scottish work right here in Scotland, then please continue to support the artists who make the powerful work that appears our stages.”
Creative Scotland has taken the difficult decision to close the Open Fund for Individuals to new applications due to the Scottish Government being unable to confirm release of £6.6m in Grant-in-Aid budget in the current financial year, 2024-25.
The Fund will close to new applications from 2pm on Friday 30th August 2024.
Creative Scotland planned to apply £3m of the £6.6m budget to support the Open Fund for Individuals in 2024-25, alongside £3m of National Lottery income.
Without confirmation of release of this budget, Creative Scotland does not have enough funds available to support all the funding routes that we currently provide, as set out in our Annual Plan for 2024-25.
All currently submitted Open Fund for Individuals applications will be processed as per the published Guidance. The National Lottery Open Fund for Organisations remains open.
Iain Munro, CEO of Creative Scotland said: “The level of uncertainty regarding the provision of Grant-in-Aid budgets from the Scottish Government is creating critical problems for the ongoing support we can provide to Scotland’s culture sector.
“This decision to close the Open Fund for Individuals is not one we would have wanted to take but is unavoidable without the funding from the Scottish Government being available.
“Like everyone working in Scotland’s culture and creative sector, we understand the extreme pressures on public finances but want to see longer term budget certainty from the Scottish Government, including the additional £100m announced in October 2023, details of which have yet to emerge.”
The legendary film editor will speak as part of the EIFF 2024 Programme line-up
Festival also announces industry guests hosting tables at EIFF Networking Brunches
EIFF Industry events also include case study panels and distribution sessions in a wide-ranging programme focusing on cross arts conversations, Fringe partnerships and new talent support
The relaunched Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has announced details of a special in-conversation event with the legendary Thelma Schoonmaker who is celebrated for her iconic work as an editor on landmark moments in cinema history and for her collaborations with Martin Scorsese, including Raging Bull, Goodfellas,The Wolf of Wall Street and Killers of the Flower Moon.
Thelma will be discussing her outstanding career on Tuesday 20 August at 3pm at Tollcross Central Hall. Tickets are on sale now.
Whilst at the Festival, Thelma will also present the award for The Thelma Schoonmaker Prize for Short Filmmaking Excellence Competition which showcases World Premieres of new exciting short form work from Scottish, the UK and international filmmakers. The award comes with a cash prize of £15,000 and will be decided by audience vote during EIFF with the winner announced on Wednesday 21 August.
Alongside this, she will also introduce a retrospective screening of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s much loved film I Know Where I’m Going! (1945) set on the islands of Scotland.
Paul Ridd, Festival Directorsaid: ‘We are absolutely thrilled that Thelma Schoonmaker has agreed to an in-person career conversation with us at this year’s Festival. An icon of cinema, Thelma has already been so generous with us already, allowing us to launch our brand new shorts prize in her name.
“Our line-up of guests across the film and industry programmes is absolutely star-studded, including newly announced guests at our Networking Brunches.
We are just immensely grateful to everyone for their continued support of the relaunched Festival. Bring it on!’
Running throughout the Festival, but with a focus of activity across the weekend of Friday 16 August to Sunday 18 August, the industry programme presents an impactful series of panels and networking opportunities for Scottish and international creatives to engage with industry experts from around the world.
This 77th edition of the Festival honours the film festival’s history, showcasing the very best talent in filmmaking in a format rooted in a local Scottish context whilst embracing the international diversity of creative expression.
EIFF is delighted to have initiated groundbreaking new collaborations and partnerships with Fringe organisations over non-traditional cinema spaces in renowned Summerhall, Inspace and 50 George Square in the University of Edinburgh. Monkey Barrel Comedy, Edinburgh’s acclaimed comedy club, is hosting the venue at Inspace, whilst Fringe favourite Assembly Festival is hosting the venue at 50 George Square.
On Friday 16 August, a morning NETWORKING BRUNCH co-hosted with Screen Fringe will take place at Summerhall Library Gallery, in collaboration with Summerhall.
Invited Table Hosts at the Brunch include: Sam Gough (Summerhall), Briony Hanson (British Council), Tricia Tuttle (Berlinale), Julia Trawinska (Picturehouse Entertainment), Bec Martin (Artistic Director, New Diorama), Jess Toomey (Director, Live Comedy Association), Karel Och (Director, Karlovy Vary), Sarah Brocklehurst (Producer, THE OUTRUN) and Katie Metcalfe (Nowness).
SCRAPPER TO SCREEN: A CASE STUDY will be a panel exploring the development to distribution of the hit 2023 film SCRAPPER, taking place at EIFF venue Inspace in association with Monkey Barrel on Friday afternoon. Moderated by Melanie Iredale (Reclaim the Frame) and with panellists including Charlotte Regan (Director of SCRAPPER), Theo Barrowclough (Producer of SCRAPPER), Lucie Desquiens (Sales at Charades) and Julia Trawinska (Acquisitions Manager at Picturehouse Entertainment).
Following the panel, early evening NETWORKING DRINKS will take place at Inspace in association with Monkey Barrel, ahead of an evening EIFF CURTAIN RAISER filmmaker and industry reception in Summerhall Library Gallery, both in partnership with BBC Film.
Saturday 17 August will begin with a NETWORKING BRUNCH which will take place at Summerhall Library Gallery in collaboration with Monkey Barrel.
Invited Table Hosts include: Jack Thomas O’Brien (Producer), Julia Jackman (Filmmaker), Mike Muncer (Evolution of Horror), David Bleese (Monkey Barrel) and writer and event producer Wendy Mitchell.
On Saturday early afternoon, IN CONVERSATION: GASPAR NOE will take place at Tollcross Central Hall with the iconic filmmaker discussing his work.
Later in the afternoon, a STAND UP TO THE SCREEN panel involving filmmakers who have transitioned from live performance/TV to filmmaking along with Fringe producers and creatives that are interested in screen work and working on developing ideas/adaptations for film.
The event will take place at Inspace in association with Monkey Barrel, and will be moderated by Rowan Woods (Edinburgh TV Festival) with panellists Alex Walton (WME), Afolabi Kuti (Producer) and filmmakers from the programme selection.
In the evening, NETWORKING DRINKS will take place at Inspace in association with Monkey Barrel and supported by NFTS Scotland, ahead of the now legendary EIFF Ceilidh.
On Sunday 18 August, a morning NETWORKING BRUNCH will take place at Summerhall Library Gallery, in collaboration with Assembly Festival.
Invited Table Hosts include: William Burdett Coutts (Assembly), Helene Espeiss (Charades), Jonathan Rutter (Premier), Wahida Niblo (Vertigo), Luke Moody (Doc Society), Matt Mueller (Screen International) and Robbie Collin (Telegraph).
Sunday afternoon will see the Festival’s Keynote address from acclaimed filmmaker Alex Garland and producer Andrew Macdonald at Tollcross Central Hall. The pair will discuss their long history of collaborations across films that include The Beach (2000), 28 Days Later (2002), Ex Machina (2014), as well as the recent global hit Civil War (2024). Tickets for this event will go on sale on 1 August and EIFF industry delegates will be able to access tickets closer to the Festival.
In partnership with Scottish Documentary Institute (SDI), a DOCUMENTARY DISTRIBUTION PANEL will take place at Inspace in association with Monkey Barrel, engaging Scottish documentary filmmaking talent, documentary producers and international documentary sales agents to deliver a rounded session on the business of independent documentary exhibition and distribution.
The session will be moderated by SDI’s Flore Cosquer with panellist Luke Moody (Doc Society), Graham Fulton (Conic), Sophie Fiennes (ACTING) and filmmakers from the programme selection.
Early evening NETWORKING DRINKS will take place at Inspace in association with Monkey Barrel, supported by SDI.
On Monday 19 August,coinciding with the Festival’s Out of Competition Shorts screening, there will be evening NETWORKING DRINKS in the Cameo Cinema bar supported by Screen Academy Scotland.
The same evening, BAFTA SCOTLAND celebrates the life and work of the ground-breaking film producer, curator, writer and former Director of the Edinburgh International Film Festival Lynda Myles in a special event celebrating her presentation of the BAFTA Scotland Outstanding Contribution to Film Award.
From 9pm, Ali Plumb (BBC Radio 1) will host the EIFF Film Quiz at Summerhall’s Dissection Room.
On Tuesday 20 August, evening NETWORKING DRINKS in the Cameo Cinema bar will take place.
EIFF Industry delegates are welcome to also register with Screen Fringe, a Screen Scotland-backed programme delivered in partnership with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society.
Open to TV and film professionals, Screen Fringe offers a concierge service to delegates to help discover the best theatre and comedy talent from Scotland, the UK and beyond. EIFF industry delegates who want to engage with the Edinburgh Festivals to find talent and pursue opportunities for screen adaptation can accredit via the Fringe Society’s Arts Industry page (http://www.edfringe.com/take-part/arts-industry).
EIFF 2024 is supported by Screen Scotland and the BFI Audience Projects Fund, awarding National Lottery funding, the Industry Programme is backed by EXPO funding from the Scottish Government through Creative Scotland, and EventScotland part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate.
Edinburgh International Film Festival runs from Thursday 15 to Wednesday 21 August 2024.
From August 15 to August 21 2024, Edinburgh International Film Festival will take place at unique venues in Edinburgh allowing audiences to seamlessly experience the best of the Fringe along with the world-class programme of cinema at EIFF.
This year’s 77th edition of the Festival honours the film festival’s history, showcasing the very best talent in filmmaking in a format rooted in a local Scottish context whilst embracing the international diversity of creative expression. EIFF encourages general audiences, film fans and industry professionals to make the trip this summer to Edinburgh.
The revamped Festival has recently announced its programme which includes over thirty-eight feature films, five shorts programmes and various talks and events across its dates. Concession pricing is available and Pay What You Can tickets will be available across select screenings.
Helmed by Festival Director Paul Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa, the team aims to create a world-class showcase for independent film and filmmaking talent.
Former Acquisitions Executive Ridd is supported by an expanding Board, including Chair Andrew Macdonald of DNA Films, producer of the iconic Edinburgh-based film Trainspotting; Peter Rice, former Chairman of General Entertainment at Disney and President of 21st Century Fox; and Amy Jackson, producer of last year’s BAFTA award-winning indie, Aftersun.
Across Scotland, 54 culture projects have received £1,245,021 from The National Lottery in the latest round of Creative Scotland’s Open Fund awards.
This round of awards spans a wide range of exciting projects from all genres, including a selection of musical projects taking direct inspiration from Scotland’s unique culture and landscapes.
Video game director Kyle Banks has received funding for the composition of two modern renditions of Robert Burns’ song, My Heart’s in the Highlands, composed by Jon Konsolakis and with vocals performed by four-time BBC Alba Scots Trad Music Awards’ Scots Singer of the Year award winner, Siobhan Miller.
The tracks will be released worldwide on all streaming platforms and featured on the soundtrack of Farewell North, a new Edinburgh-produced video game exploring the Orkney islands, available on 15 August. The game, named after the song, draws focus on Scotland’s rich culture and landscapes as your character embarks on a mental and physical journey to restore colour to the islands and her world.
Director Kyle Bankscommented: “With the support of the Open Fund we have the opportunity to take a beloved song segment from our game, Farewell North, and compose a pair of full-length singles for our audience to enjoy as a standalone piece of art.
“As a small team this is something that would not have been a viable option for us without this funding and it’s allowed us to share our love of Scotland worldwide.”
Composer Ruta Vitkauskaite is collaborating with Founder and Director of the Illuminate Women’s Music ProjectAngela Slater to bring the project series to Scotland. Founded in 2017, Illuminate is a commissioning and touring series celebrating the creativity of women both as composers and performers.
Illuminate will tour newly commissioned works by diverse Scottish composers with each piece inspired by Scottish folklore reimagined through a contemporary music lens.
Ruta Vitkauskaitesays: “We are absolutely delighted to receive funding from Creative Scotland’s Open Fund. The support will allow us to introduce the Illuminate Women’s Music concert series to Scotland for the very first time, bringing some of the most vibrant female musical talents to audiences across Scotland.”
The series will see concerts, workshops and talks taking place in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, Linlithgow, Kinlochard and onwards to Vilnius, Lithuania, providing creators with international exposure.
The first public in-person concert be held on Thursday 12 December at The Old Hairdresser’s in Glasgow and tickets will be available on the Illuminate Women’s Music website.
Musician and composer Kate Young will release her second studio album, Umbelliferæ: A Musical Journey Through Plantlore in September 2024, accompanied by UK-wide album launch tour.
Originally commissioned by Celtic Connections, the album features a repertoire of songs inspired by Scotland’s natural heritage, with special focus on plant lore and traditional remedies made from native plants. The music is arranged for string quintet, double bass, harp and percussion.
Kate Youngcommented: “This is the release project of an album inspired by the world of traditional plant lore and medicinal uses from around the UK, which looks to spread awareness about such dying traditions through music.
“We look forward to taking this string quintet performance to a number of venues this Autumn.”
For full tour details please visit Kate Young’s website.
Further awards in this round of the Open Fund include:
Roots Theatre Festival 2024, 16-19 October 2024 – a 4-day programme of digital and in-person events to celebrate and support local theatre-makers in the Highlands.
The publication of three issues of Gutter (30–32), the award-winning magazine of new Scottish and international writing.
The full list of awards in this round of the Open Fund can be found on our website.
Paul Burns, Interim Director of Arts at Creative Scotlandcommented: “Exploring the rich landscapes and vibrant cultural heritage of Scotland provides immense value to our communities.
“The latest initiatives supported by our Open Fund will offer invaluable opportunities for people across the country to engage with Scotland’s unique culture, made possible with the support of the National Lottery.”
Travel back in time toThe World of King James VI and I
Celebrate 250 years of JMW Turner in Turner in January: The Vaughan Bequest from the National Gallery of Ireland
Take to the skies with Alfred Buckham: Daredevil Photographer
Discover magnificent works fromARTIST ROOMS
Mark the centenary of Scottish artistIan Hamilton Finlay
Explore the imaginative creations of young people in Your Art World
National Galleries of Scotland announces an unmissable programme of free and ticketed exhibitions set to take over the National, Portrait and Modern galleries in Edinburgh throughout 2025.
From striking installations in Andy Goldsworthy: Fifty Yearsto time travelling into The World of King James VI and I, taking to the skies with Alfred Buckham: Daredevil Photographer, a celebration of 250 years of JMW Turner with Turner in January: The Vaughan Bequest from the National Gallery of Ireland and more.
There will be a sensational array of art to enjoy in the Scottish capital next year. Ticketed exhibitions can be booked online now What’s on | National Galleries of Scotland
From 26 July until 2 November 2025, immerse yourself in a major large-scale exhibition by Andy Goldsworthy. Andy Goldsworthy: Fifty Years will take over the upper and lower galleries in the Royal Scottish Academy building for the summer.
Based in Scotland, Goldsworthy (born 1956) is internationally famous for his extraordinary work with natural materials.
The exhibition will span five decades of creation with over 200 works including photographs, sculptures, and expansive new installations. Goldsworthy will also create several major new works onsite at the Royal Scottish Academy building especially for Andy Goldsworthy: Fifty Years.
This spectacular summer exhibition is sure to be one of the most talked-about of the year – and it is showing only in Edinburgh.
Next spring at the Portrait, travel back in time and be immersed in The World of King James VI and I. Son of Mary, Queen of Scots, successor to Elizabeth I and the first monarch to rule over Scotland, England and Ireland, get to know King James (1566 – 1625) and step into the world in which he lived, ruled and changed forever.
Marking the 400-year anniversary of King James’s death, this exhibition will chart his remarkable reign through stories of friendship, family, feuds and ambition.
Drawing on themes with contemporary relevance, including national identity, queer history, belief and spirituality, The World of King James VI and Iwill be anenriching journey through the complex life of a King who changed the shape of the United Kingdom.
Over 100 objects will be on display, including ornate paintings, dazzling jewels, lavish designs and important loans from galleries across the UK, celebrating craft and visual art from the 16th and 17th centuries.
From 26 April – 14 September 2025 come and be fully immersed in the sights, sounds (and even smells) of the period, connecting the people of the past with the people of today. Tickets are on sale now.
In 2025 the National Galleries of Scotland will commemorate the 250th birthday of beloved British artist JMW Turner (1775 – 1851) with a once in a lifetime, free exhibition. For the first time, visitors will be able to marvel at over 30 Turner watercolours from Dublin.
Turner in January: The Vaughan Bequest from the National Gallery of Ireland at the Royal Scottish Academy building will be one-off special take on the keenly awaited and much-loved annual tradition.
Spanning the breadth of Turner’s career, visitors can roam through sweeping seascapes, dramatic landscapes and spectacular cities, many displayed in their original frames.
As part of this special partnership, the Turner works from the Scottish national collection will go on display at the National Gallery of Ireland allowing visitors in both Scotland and Ireland to connect with works from the Henry Vaughan Bequest they don’t often get to see.
There will be two new and exciting exhibitions making their way to the Modern in 2025. From next summer you can explore your collection at Modern One with a series of new displays showcasing magnificent and diverse works of 20th and 21st century art belonging to the people of Scotland.
Your World celebration day at the National Galleries.
This includes an opportunity to see compelling works from your ARTIST ROOMS collection, cared for jointly by the National Galleries of Scotland and Tate. Explore this exhibition of the nation’s superb contemporary and modern collection from 12 July 2025.
The centenary of revered Scottish artist Ian Hamilton Finlay (1925 – 2006) will also be marked in a new free display of his work at Modern Two from 8 March to 26 May 2025.
A visionary in his craft, Ian Hamilton Finlay harnessed the power of collaboration throughout his career, drawing on the expertise of fellow makers and creators to bring his artistic visions to life.
Hailed as a poet, sculptor, printmaker, gardener and provocateur, his practice covered a wide range of media, reflected in this display through over 30 sculptures, installations and prints as well as extensive archival materials, all from Scotland’s national collection.
Moving into the autumn at the Portrait, take to the skies and see the world from above the clouds through the remarkable work of Alfred Buckham: Daredevil Photographer.
A trailblazer in his field, Buckham (1879 – 1956) soared above the realms of what was thought to be possible in 20th century photography and aviation.
From 18 October 2025 – 19 April 2026, meet the man behind some of the most iconic aerial photographs, marvel at the death-defying lengths he took to capture the perfect image and explore how his innovative techniques paved the way for modern technologies such as Photoshop and AI.
Explore the imaginative Your Art World exhibition at the National, showcasing the inspirational new works of young artists from all over Scotland aged 3 – 18-year-olds. The exhibition is a celebration of what happens when young people are encouraged to be wildly creative.
Discover installations from school and community groups who have worked alongside the National Galleries of Scotland. Or even view the creations of the young people in your own life. With the opportunity to upload artwork online via the website, anyone aged 3-18 can see their own digital submissions on screen in the gallery. Immerse yourself in the imagination of these young artists from 10 May to 2 November 2025.
Anne Lyden, Director-General at the National Galleries of Scotlandsaid “We’re really excited to announce our 2025 public programme, which is packed full of fantastic exhibitions.
“Breathtaking installations at the Royal Scottish Academy, soaring above the clouds at the Portrait gallery, and modern and contemporary highlights from your national collection at the Moderns.
“Whether you want to be inspired, find a moment of calm or share a joyful experience with friends – there’s so much to discover at the National Galleries of Scotland.”
LOTHIAN MSP CALLS FOR CRISIS SUMMIT ON FESTIVAL FUNDING
Foysol Choudhury, list MSP for Lothian and Shadow Culture Minster for Scottish Labour, has today pressed the Scottish Government to heed Scottish Labour’s calls for a crisis summit on festival funding.
Mr Choudhury questioned the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Angus Robertson MSP, in the Scottish Parliament’s Chamber today (15th May 2024).
MSP Choudhury said: “Although the Scottish Government may claim to support Scotland’s cultural sector, the situation on the ground is very different.
“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 Scottish Labour’s calls for a crisis summit on festival funding.
“We need the concrete action of a festivals crisis summit now, not more weak platitudes from the Scottish Government.”
MSP Choudhury also raised concerns about the Scottish Government’s structure and governance and how this is impacting the culture sector.
Mr Choudhury echoed his Labour colleague Neil Bibby’s sentiments, which Mr Bibby raised in the Scottish Parliament today, about the Cabinet Secretary’s conflict of interest.
As Mr Robertson is MSP for Edinburgh Central, and Edinburgh is a major cultural hub, the Labour MSPs argue that the Cabinet Secretary should recuse himself from cultural matters pertaining to Edinburgh.
Something which will be made very difficult, they say, as there is now no specific Culture Minister in John Swinney’s new Scottish Government.
Mr Choudhury said: “Yet again we are seeing the Scottish Government’s contempt for culture as the Culture Minister role has been disposed of-meaning the Cabinet Secretary will have no Minister focused specially on culture to pass Edinburgh based cultural matters to, instead having to rely on the Deputy First Minister to pick up the pieces.
“This is not the first time we have seen the Scottish Government’s poor governance choices impact our cultural sector-whilst Creative Scotland funding is at a standstill level, the Scottish Government have been wasting nearly £2 million on staffing for the “Building New Scotland” Papers.
“Now that the Minister for Independence has been scrapped, which will hopefully stop wasting money which could have been spent to save our cultural sector, I am now also calling on the Scottish Government to scrap the independence papers altogether and reallocate the funds towards culture in Scotland.”
Mr Choudhury says he will continue to pursue the Scottish Government to take concrete action on the crisis hitting the cultural sector in Scotland and to recalibrate their governance priorities, to ensure money spent on party-driven ideologies like independence is instead spent on saving the cultural sector, which he says can benefit the whole of Scotland regardless of party allegiance.
