Tag: National Lottery

National Lottery winners deliver festive cheer to Leith’s Living Memory Association

Christmas has come early for a group of elderly residents from Edinburgh after a group of big-hearted National Lottery winners donated a wealth of festive goodies to a local National Lottery-funded charity.

Six winners visited The Living Memory Association in Leith yesterday, hand delivering a Christmas tree and luxury gift hampers to be distributed among local people who rely heavily on the support the charity offers. 

Armed with Santa hats and Christmas jumpers, the winners got to work putting up and decorating the tree, as well as putting finishing touches to the hampers which included everything from individual Christmas puddings to Fortnum & Mason tea bags. 

As part of the festive surprise The National Lottery winners, who have a combined worth of more than £62 million, spent the morning with charity staff at its Wee Museum of Memory at Ocean Terminal. 

Based in Edinburgh, The Living Memory Association was established in 1986 and uses the power of memory and reminiscence to bring people together, regardless of their background or age. 

The charity has received over £1M in National Lottery funding since 2005 with much of this used to involve and empower older people throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians who have been badly affected by loneliness and isolation, particularly during the pandemic.

This includes those living with dementia and their carers. Using the evocative powers of sight, sound and smell, staff encourage visitors to recall past memories with many people spending hours browsing the museum’s displays and artefacts.  

The charitable National Lottery winner group included Fred and Lesley Higgins, originally from Laurencekirk in Aberdeenshire, who won £57,975,367 on EuroMillions in July 2018.

The couple, who have supported a number of deserving causes since their win, were also joined by fellow Dundonian Ray Storey who won £1,050,000 on EuroMillions in 2014. 

Also visiting the charity yesterday was Libby Elliott from Fife, who won £2,159,664 on Lotto in 2012, alongside East Lothian couple Alan and Claire Gray who scooped £1,000,000 on EuroMillions in 2019.

Alan Gray, who visited the charity with wife Claire, said, “We had a really lovely time visiting the Wee Museum of Memory. 

“The team at The Living Memory Association really do some amazing work and we feel proud to have played a small part in supporting its work with elderly and isolated people. We hope our donations mean local residents can still enjoy a special Christmas treat on us!”

Miles Tubb, Project Coordinator at The Living Memory Association, said, “Everyone has had a tough time over the past 18 months but for elderly and isolated people it’s been particularly difficult. We are passionate about tackling loneliness and a big part of this is getting people together and reliving memories of days gone by.

“We are so grateful to players of The National Lottery for their continued support and to our new friends who visited us. What they have donated is incredibly generous. Despite the restrictions and challenges these hampers will provide some much-needed festive cheer.

“We are lucky to have previously received funding support from The National Lottery, so we are delighted to be able to continue our great relationship.”

The Christmas season has always been a special time for National Lottery winners with many coming together during the festive season to support charities across Scotland. However, COVID-19 restrictions have meant that The National Lottery has had to think differently over the past couple of years.

With safety and wellbeing paramount, all winners and wider team members adhered to safe working practices, following current guidelines and with face masks and regular hand washing mandatory.

By playing any National Lottery game, players generate more than £30M each week for National Lottery-funded projects. This money helps support everything from the local charity making a difference where you live through to helping our nation’s athletes win Olympic and Paralympic gold medals.

To date, over £45 BILLION has been raised and distributed to National Lottery Good Causes through more than 660,000 individual grants.

Thanks to National Lottery players, over £1.2bn. is being used by charities and organisations affected by the impact of the coronavirus outbreak, which includes over £600M in funding support from the National Lottery Community Fund which is being used to help groups best placed to support people and communities through the crisis.

National Lottery funds support Edinburgh creative projects

Projects and organisations across Edinburgh are sharing in £49,382 National Lottery funding in the latest round of Creative Scotland’s Open Fund awards. 

Edinburgh contemporary composer, Neil Smith is developing two projects designed to inspire new audiences for contemporary classical music. 

A debut portrait album of chamber music and a new music-driven puppet theatre show follow fast on the heels of his collaboration with Tinderbox Collective’s recent Music For Bridges project. 

Photographer, David Grinly is developing new work for an exhibition at Sierra Metro gallery, Edinburgh in January 2022.  

Collaborating with six musicians, Grinly will perform and record works of “photographic music” composed via a method developed by the artist to translate colour into musical notation. 

The Edinburgh projects are among the 36 creative initiatives across Scotland sharing in over £772,000 of National Lottery funding in this round of Open Fund awards.

The full list of awards is available on the Creative Scotland website. 

Iain Munro, CEO, Creative Scotland said: “These Open Fund grants are capable of making a palpable and positive difference to the lives and careers of artists, and more widely to those of us living within Scotland’s communities.  

“Thanks to the generosity of National Lottery players, who raise £30 million for good causes across the UK every year, these awards continue to support communities the length and breadth of Scotland, inspiring generations and boosting overall wellbeing.” 

National Lottery funding support for Edinburgh creative projects

Fourteen creative projects from Edinburgh artists and creative organisations are in motion thanks to £303,559 National Lottery funding in the latest round of Open Fund awards from Creative Scotland. 

The former Fire Station at Edinburgh College of Art will house Edinburgh’s SpACE forum from 1 November to 4 December as part of COP26.

The public pop-up exhibition, event space and online venue will welcome leading designers, building environmentalists, architects and heritage organisations coming together to help raise wider understanding of the difference that can be made through more responsible approaches to design and construction.  

Rab Bennetts, architect and founder of Bennetts Associates and Chair of SpACE said: “There could hardly be a more appropriate moment to engage with the public about the impact of our buildings and places on climate change.

“As the world’s eyes are on COP26 in Glasgow, our parallel event in Edinburgh can show how the changes that are essential to our homes, workplaces and public buildings are not only possible but can also result in a cleaner, healthier and more enjoyable built environment.” 

Through a series of unique, site-specific, public video projection mapping artworks with original soundscapes visual artist and creator Mettje Hunneman will highlight and transform Edinburgh’s public green spaces and question our place in nature.

 Forest VIDEOLAB will see twelve immersive audio-visual displays over twelve months encouraging audiences to reconnect with nature in new ways.  

Mettje Hunneman commented: “Artistic collaborations that would not previously have been possible can now come about, and resources that were previously inaccessible are now available.

“Everybody on the Forest VIDEOLAB team is now very excited to launch these beautiful creations into the public realm.” 

Edinburgh-based theatre company, SALTYDOLLS – a partnership of Estlin Love and Fiona Oliver-Larkin will research and develop ABATTOIR.

A 50-minute feminist, two woman show, ABATTOIR is born from a provocation made by Morag Deyes of Dance Base during a SALTYDOLLS residency – “When are you going to make a show about the DARKNESS of MOTHERHOOD?” 

Surrogate Productions will adapt and stage the Scottish and UK premiere of Édouard Louis’ autofiction novel Who Killed My Father in association with Platform Theatre in spring 2022. 

Surrogate’s Artistic Director Nora Wardell said: “We’re excited to welcome audiences back to theatres with such a moving and empowering piece that resonates so beautifully with our changing lives today.

“A rare text for Surrogate’s second work – both a deeply personal story of love from son to father and a defiant call for social justice.” 

Shortlisted for the 2020 Phil Fox Award, Nibble Nibble Gnaw is a new play by emerging Scottish playwright Isla Cowan receiving further research and development, exploring hunger and consumption in contemporary society.

Inspired by the story of Hansel and Gretel, this twisted fairy-tale follows a brother and sister as they make their way in a monstrously middle-class world, battling addiction and disorder. 

POWA (Protection of Womxn in the Arts) is a musical collective run by Ashley Stein and Siobhan Wilson which provides paid opportunities for women-identifying and non-binary musicians and music industry professionals to create new commissions and access mentorship, guidance, and professional resources.  

Co-founders Siobhan Wilson and Ashley Stein commented: “The money we have received from the Open Fund will allow us to work with a diverse range of artists and share newly commissioned musical works with our members, helping our music and message to reach a wider audience and providing a platform where women can express their experiences.” 

Following the successful release of What We Might Know in 2018, Edinburgh based band Broken Records will record their 5th studio album which will be released on their own label, J Sharp Records.  

On receiving funding Broken Records’ Iain Turnbull said: “The album is due to be released in Spring 2022, and we’re looking forward to it building on our previous work by allowing us to show our audience a different side to the band.  

“After 14 years we have a dedicated following, and this album will allow us to carry on that interaction by sharing stories and our music from a different stage of our lives to connect to what is happening in their own lives.” 

Iain Munro, CEO, Creative Scotland said: “It’s great to see so many projects continue to benefit from Open Fund awards.

“Thanks to the generosity of the National Lottery players, who raise £30 million for good causes across the UK every week, these awards are creating many invaluable opportunities for people and communities across Scotland to engage with the arts while enabling artists and creative organisations to develop and grow.” 

A full list of recipients of Open Fund awards is available on the Creative Scotland website.

The National Lottery ‘Days Out’ offers up to £25 off top attractions and experiences

  • The National Lottery is inspiring the nation to have fun days out this autumn, by offering money off hundreds of attractions and experiences across the UK 
  • £8 million worth of ‘Days Out’ vouchers will be available from 8th October granting National Lottery players up to £25 off tickets to participating venues on the VisitBritain Shop  

To inspire the nation to have more fun this autumn, The National Lottery is helping to fund great days out at hundreds of attractions and experiences across the UK by offering vouchers that can be used to claim up to £25 off entry.  

From 8th October, anyone with a valid Lotto ticket can claim a £25 voucher* for use at participating venues. Whether it’s an adrenaline-filled day or one full of mindful moments, there’s something for everyone, including country parks, medieval castles, aquariums, walking tours and much more. 

Venues and attractions from all corners of the UK are participating in The National Lottery Days Out promotion, acollaboration with VisitBritain to help support domestic tourism this autumn, including highlights in Scotland:  

  • Animal lovers can visit the Highland Wildlife Park located in the heart of the Cairngorm National Park, learn about the 1,000 endangered and threatened species that live at Edinburgh Zoo or catch a glimpse of the only Cow Nose Rays in Scotland at SEA LIFE Loch Lomond.  
  • For a historical experience, discover the childhood residence of Mary, Queen of Scots, Stirling Castle.  
  • For an insight into the gruesome history of Edinburgh, venture inside the Edinburgh Dungeons to learn more about Agnes Finney, the city’s witch. 

Every week National Lottery players raise more than £30 million for Good Causes and this funding has supported 94 of the top 100 most visited tourist attractions in the UK** including Stonehenge, Eden Project, Kew Gardens, Tower of London, ZSL London Zoo, Giants Causeway and Bletchley Park.  

Tourism Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “The fantastic National Lottery Days Out Scheme is part of our plan to help our brilliant tourism sector to build back better from the challenges of the pandemic.

“There is so much to see and do throughout the year across the whole of the UK. I encourage all National Lottery players to see what’s on offer and get out there and have some great days out at top attractions.”

VisitBritain CEO Sally Balcombe said: “VisitBritain is very pleased to be supporting The National Lottery Days Out campaign to encourage more of us to get out and discover the fantastic visitor attractions and experiences here on our doorstep and enjoy a great day out with family and friends.” 

Redemption: To get £25 off fun days out with The National Lottery this Autumn, National Lottery players should visit www.NationalLotteryDaysOut.com to get one of hundreds of thousands of vouchers available.

The promotion is open to players with Lotto tickets bought on or after 1st October 2021*.   

The money for this initiative comes from a National Lottery promotional fund. It is not being funded by money allocated for National Lottery Good Causes or by Camelot. 

Edinburgh creative projects get go ahead with Lottery funding

Thirteen creative projects from Edinburgh-based artists and creative organisations are taking place thanks to more than £253,000 National Lottery funding through Creative Scotland.  

And If Not Now When? – a new audio-visual installation being exhibited at National Museum of Scotland; Open Book – a project aimed at making literature accessible to diverse populations and Positive Imaginings, an innovative outdoor show presenting the issue of climate change for young audiences are among 44 projects in total sharing in £903,734 of funding.  

And If Not Now When? (above) is a new work from sound-designer Philip Pinsky and film-maker Karen Lamond. The interactive audio-visual installation aims to inspire a re-imagining of our urban spaces and what our human experience of them is and can be. 

The installation will be on public display at National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh from 1st to 14th November 2021 (during COP26). 

Co-creator and sound designer Philip Pinsky says: “Through our work we are inviting the public to experience a transformed urban reality with the aim of inspiring social change and provoking answers to the question, how can we respond to the climate emergency?” 

Open Book uses literature as a tool for combating social isolation, supporting wellbeing, inspiring creativity and amplifying marginalised voices.  

Open Book’s co-founder and development director Marjorie Lotfi says: “Participants describe our groups as ‘a lifesaver’, an ‘oasis’ and a ‘way to connect’ with others when they feel isolated by geography, disability or circumstance. 

“Funding means we can continue this work from Shetland to Ullapool to Stranraer, in community groups, groups for the elderly and refugees and migrants, in prisons, and in public sessions in English, Gaelic, Scots and Arabic.” 

Speactram is the debut album from vocalist, lyricist and poet Marcas Mac an Tuairneir. This debut release will see Marcas embrace the Gaelic language whilst showcasing musical influences from the genres of pop, pop-folk, R&B and dance.

A key element of this new work will be an exploration of LGBTQ’s place within the Gaelic corpus.  

Marcas Mac an Tuairneir says: “I am grateful to Creative Scotland for seeing the worth in me as an artist and this new development in Gaelic music.

“As an urban new speaker of Gaelic, it is important to me that Gaelic arts represent the myriad experiences of the community across Scotland and in Canada too.”  

Finally, Positive Imaginings is a new outdoor show from Rowanbank Environmental Arts & Education CIC.

Director Arran Sheppard said: “Creative Scotland funding will enable us to bring the Positive Imaginings show to communities in Edinburgh and Glasgow during COP26, giving children from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to engage with the Climate Emergency in a creative and empowering way.”

Iain Munro, CEO, Creative Scotland said: “Thanks to the generosity of National Lottery players who raise £34 million for good causes across the UK every week, our Open Fund awards are helping artists and creative organisations develop innovative projects that enrich the lives of people across Scotland, while raising questions about the important issues of our time and ensuring our collective creative voice continues to be heard.”

A full list of recipients of Open Fund awards is available on the Creative Scotland website.

Cook and Share to tackle loneliness in Scotland

Brand new campaign from Soil Association Food for Life

A brand new campaign from the Soil Association aims to tackle food insecurity and loneliness, starting this World Food Day on 16th October.

Anyone can take part in Cook and Share Month and hundreds of events are expected to take place across the UK. From Edinburgh to Inverclyde, people will be cooking and, you guessed it, sharing food in their local communities between 16th October and 16th November 2021.

Preparing and eating food is a great way to bring down barriers, so the organisers are encouraging people from all walks of life to take part.

Community groups, schools, children’s centres, faith groups and more will be getting busy in the kitchen and making food to share with each other, and with their local area, both remotely and in person where it’s safe to do so.

Need funding? Grants of £150 are available to help people get their cooking events off the ground, provided by Food for Life Get Togethers (FFLGT), a Soil Association programme funded by the National Lottery.

More details are below.

So why should we share our food?

Research has revealed that the more often people eat with others the more likely they are to feel happy and satisfied with their lives. Yet this year we have seen loneliness rise, exacerbating social problems that were already there.

The Office of National Statistics has published a report saying that loneliness in adults has increased during the pandemic by almost a third. From October 2020 to February 2021, results from the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN) showed that 7.2% of the adult population (about 3.7 million adults) felt lonely ‘often’ or ‘always’. This is an increase of 1.1 million people since the first UK lockdown in 2020.

Many people have become more isolated as a result of social distancing measures, which can have negative effects on mental and physical wellbeing. Holding a Food for Life ‘Get Together’ is a tried and tested way for people to connect with others in their local communities, through good food, safely.

In a recent survey of Get Together organisers, nearly 90% either agreed or strongly agreed that their activities created new friendships or developed friendships. More than 90% of Get Together organisers also agreed or strongly agreed that these activities supported people’s health and wellbeing.

Helen Browning, CEO of the Soil Association says: “The month is about using the power of great food to bring us together. At the Soil Association, we know that food has got to be good for us, and good for nature and the climate too.

“It has never been more important to create meaningful connections. We have seen over the past year that feeling connected to others is absolutely essential to good health and wellbeing. Food is one of our best ways to unite across barriers – whether that’s the garden fence, cultural or generational divides.”

Dale Cranshaw, Head of Food for Life Get Togethers adds: “Half of the UK population feel that Britain is more divided than ever before. To build stronger communities that can stand up to some of the urgent health, climate and nature crises of our time we need to get together.

“Cooking and sharing food is one of the best tools you have to bring people from different backgrounds or generations together. If you want to bring your community together you can do something about it this month by cooking, and sharing food that’s good for people and planet with your community.”

How can people take part?

Anyone can sign up for free on the website.

There are a range of resources available, helping organisers to cook easy, healthy recipes from scratch. Choose your favourite, from an Eritrean Daal to a simple, home-made bread roll. 

Find the perfect recipe.

The charity are also providing grants of £150 to help people get their cooking events off the ground. 

Find out more here. 

An important part of Cook and Share month is helping people to cook from scratch, which has health benefits and often has a lower carbon footprint than alternative ultra-processed foods.

For more information, read the Soil Association Report on Ultra-processed Foods.

After a year of isolation and worry, it is more important than ever that we connect with the people around us. Whether you’re dishing up daal, sharing a sarnie or passing round the pasta, food is a great way to break down barriers and bring people together.

National Lottery supports Edinburgh creative projects through Open Fund Awards

A series of innovative creative projects from Edinburgh artists and creative organisations have been set in motion thanks to funding awarded through Creative Scotland’s Open Fund. 

Over £150,400 has been awarded to nine Edinburgh based projects including a new dance platform from Dance Horizons; Page2Stage, a new writing night produced by Michelle McKay and hosted by Assembly Roxy and a family-friendly festival in Vogrie Park. 

These projects are among 45 across the country sharing over £1million of National Lottery funding.

These funds aim to support creativity across Scotland for artists, organisations and creative groups as they seek to build sustainability after emerging from COVID-19 restrictions.  

Innovations from Dance Horizons is a new contemporary dance platform that will support artists through the production process to share their creative practice as a high-quality finished work to audiences.  

CEO and producer Oliver James Anwyl says: “As we emerge from the pandemic, this funding is incredibly valuable to ensure the success of this year’s platform.

“Dance has been one of the hardest genres to present online during the last 18 months and we are so excited to bring work to the stage for our audiences to enjoy.” 

Glacial Narratives – a report from the Arctic is an exhibition that aims to raise awareness of the wonder of ice as a material and ask questions about its disappearance in the run up to COP26.  

Artist Mary Walters says: “As artists, we can add to contemporary climate change discussions by articulating the wonder we have for this amazing material that is fast disappearing.” 

Page2Stage Edinburgh is a new writing night produced by Michelle McKay and hosted by Assembly Roxy that will provide a supportive environment for playwrights to gain feedback on their work and offers the audience a unique insight into the writing process. 

Producer Michelle Mackay says: “We are working at grassroots level, building a network in Edinburgh and the funding means we can continue to build and develop Page2Stage providing further opportunities to create new work and partnerships.” 

VOGRIE POGRIE is a free, highly accessible and family-friendly festival taking place entirely outdoors in Vogrie Park from 11-12 September with pop-up performances from clowns and storytellers, activities and workshops and activities in the park and local community beginning from 3 September. 

Callum Ross, Creative Director says: “Trotwork Events is delighted to have received funding and have the opportunity to work with lots of great creative artists and groups again. 

“Vogrie Park will come alive, and it will feel like a lovely gift to us all to enjoy. We can’t wait.” 

Iain Munro, CEO, Creative Scotland said: “Thanks to the generosity of National Lottery players, who raise £30 million for good causes across the UK every week, alongside equally welcome funding from the Scottish Government, these Open Fund awards continue to build resilience within Scotland’s artistic community as well as provide creative engagement opportunities to enrich the lives of people across Scotland”.  

A full list of recipients of Open Fund awards is available on the Creative Scotland website.  

National Lottery funds support Edinburgh creative projects

Creative projects from Edinburgh artists and creative organisations are in motion thanks to National Lottery funding awarded through Creative Scotland’s Open Fund.

A new poetry project from Neu! Reekie!, a community arts project focusing on Edinburgh’s history and a 50th anniversary commission from Meadows Chamber Orchestra are among the 53 projects in total sharing in over £1.2million of National Lottery funding.

These funds aim to support creativity across Scotland for artists, organisations and creative groups as they seek to build sustainability while emerging from Covid-19 restrictions.

With new funding, independent publisher 404 Ink will be continuing their development of new and emerging Scottish voices, including new poetry, novels and memoirs.

Co-founder and Publishing Director Heather McDaid says: “As a small publisher trying to survive and thrive through the pandemic, this is an incredible opportunity to put real resources behind authors and titles we fully believe in, and create a large network of freelance opportunities, while also being able to develop our paid internship programme and look to 404 Ink’s long-term recovery and sustainability.”

Neu! Reekie!’s forthcoming The New Now! will draw focus on Scotland’s poets. From #NeuVoices publishing their first poem to Scotland’s new Makar making their mark, The New Now! will offer poets and audiences alike, a year-long series of live shows and broadcast-quality digital events.

Neu! Reekie! Co-founder Michael Pedersen says: “We’re elated to see this vital project taking flight — through it we hope to make sense of the last bewildering period and gather gusto for the future.”

ReDrawing Edinburgh is a community-led creative project from Edinburgh City Archives designed to commemorate the centennial of the 1920 Edinburgh Boundaries Extension and Tramways Act.

Activities around this project will include the projection a short, commissioned archive multi-media installation onto five buildings in the five boundary extension areas, on five evenings during September 2021.

Henry Sullivan, Information Asset Manager says: “The heritage of each community will be displayed to local audiences in their own community spaces in an innovative and engaging fashion.

“The hope is that this will be a model for future collaboration between content custodians, community organisations and local artists.”

Meadows Chamber Orchestra will celebrate its 50th anniversary with the commission and Scottish premiere of an exciting new orchestral symphony by renowned composer Eleanor Alberga.

Principal conductor and musical advisor, Peter Evans says: “As the Meadows Chamber Orchestra prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in June 2022, the ensemble is particularly delighted to receive financial support from Creative Scotland for the commission of a new symphony from the Jamaican -born British composer, Eleanor Alberga. The new piece will be a joint commission with the Bristol-based Brandon Hill Chamber Orchestra.”

INTO THE ALTERED STATES is a year-long project by artist Benjamin Owen celebrating voices across Scotland and bringing together an intergenerational group of musicians alongside the voices of elderly individuals.

Benjamin explained: “This funding is a vital opportunity for me to develop as a participatory artist after a twenty-year career in arts education.

“It allows me to integrate all sorts of skills and experiences gathered in teaching into a more experimental and flexible environment.”

Joan Parr, Creative Scotland’s Interim Director of Arts and Engagement, said: “Thanks to the generosity of National Lottery players, who raise £30 million for good causes across the UK every week, these vital funds are helping artists to continue to develop and present their work and to bring extraordinary creative experiences to life within our communities.”

A full list of recipients of Open Fund awards is available on the Creative Scotland website.

Open Fund awards support for creative Edinburgh-based projects

27 Edinburgh-based projects are sharing in over £607,000 of National Lottery and Scottish Government funding through Creative Scotland in the March and April rounds of Open Fund awards.

Designed to support creative people, projects and organisations across Scotland to adapt and respond to the current changing circumstances brought about by Covid-19, awards made through the Open Fund are helping to sustain creative development at this challenging time.

Edinburgh-based artists and creative practitioners include:

The Cymera Festival – an annual celebration of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror (SFFH) writing, bringing together writers and readers to share ideas, create stories and share insights.

Cymera is the first of its kind in the UK, and 2021 is its third instalment.  Due to the ongoing pandemic, the programme will once again be digital.

Festival organiser Ann Landmann said: “We are excited to return to the digital space from 3rd to 6th June 2021. Thanks to the funding from the Creative Scotland Open Fund, #Cymera21 is a jam-packed weekend and our most international programme yet, with speakers joining us from all around the world.

“From internationally bestselling authors to Scottish debuts, our programme is a smorgasbord of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror writers to suit all tastes.”

The Dance Audition! is a new interactive online performance piece. Inspired by A Chorus Line, the 1985 American musical drama film, The Dance Audition! will be choreographed by Dance Ihayami’s Artistic Director, Priya Shrikumar using popular Indian dance forms.

Audience members will be encouraged to follow the journey of performers, learn the choreography and participate as a judge to identify the dancers for the final 5-minute dance creation, choreographed by Priya.

Choreographer, Priya Shrikumar (top) said: “Now is the best and in a way a positive time for this form (Indian dance) to be viewed and enjoyed by a larger audience – something accessible and enjoyable.

“It will bring colour and wonder to a world which is a bit colourless at the moment, due to the pandemic.”

Re·creation: A Creative Opportunity for Queer Poets is a new work from Edinburgh-based writers Éadaoín Lynch and Alycia Pirmohamed, with independent publisher Stewed Rhubarb Press.

This project will identify and commission Covid-affected queer creatives to write poems, develop their craft, build a community of poets, and be published in a landmark poetry collection.

The project leads are also the co-editors of the anthology, planned for publication in summer 2022. Éadaoín Lynch is an early career researcher with a PhD in poetry from the University of St Andrews; Alycia Pirmohamed is co-founder of the Scottish BAME Writers Network, and winner of the Edwin Morgan Poetry Award 2020.

The collection is planned to include 30 poets: 10 commissions, and 20 selections from an open call for submissions. Workshops, 1-to-1 mentorship, and a round-table feedback session will be provided as part of the project. More information can be found on the website here: https://recreation-anthology.co.uk/ 

Project lead, Éadaoín Lynch says: “The project title has its roots in play, refreshment, recovery, restoration, invigoration, and creating, all of which are long overdue in a Covid-affected world, particularly for those in the LGBTQIA+ community.”

Funding has also been awarded to Edinburgh-based visual artist Alison Grant for a period of research to develop a new body of work looking at coastal communities across the 11,000 miles of Scotland’s shores.

From Viking graffiti artists who anchored in the best fishing areas to the contemporary work of today’s Blue Carbon visionaries, the project will look at best practice from the past to inform how we consider our coastlines in the future.

Visual artist Alison Grant says: “I am delighted to have received funding from Creative Scotland for 11000 Miles, a project conceived during lockdown this winter.

“It is important at this time of climate crisis to look locally to our own coastline for sustainable solutions to some of the problems we have created. I want to engage with these issues to use my creativity to communicate ideas, not just to as wide an audience as possible but also to our local communities, to look anew at our relationship with the sea.”

Strategy: Get Arts. 35 Artists Who Broke the Rules is a new work from Studies in Photography (part of the Scottish Society for the History of Photography).

Edited by Christian Weikop, Senior Lecturer, Edinburgh College of Art (ECA), this book will be the first print publication to consider the formation of the ground-breaking exhibition Strategy: Get Arts (SGA), staged at ECA in 1970, when thirty-five German post-war artists (including Joseph Beuys, Gerhard Richter, Blinky Palermo, Klaus Rinke, and Günther Uecker) staged a provocative takeover of ECA, transforming the college into a ‘total work of art’ through their ‘actions’ and installations.

Featuring essays by academics, senior National Galleries of Scotland staff, and those involved in curating the exhibition, the publication will include photographs by Monika Baumgartl, George Oliver, and Richard Demarco, many never seen before.

Alex Hamilton says: “As Chair and Co-Editor of Studies in Photography, I am delighted to be able to publish this book. The exhibition held for me, particular importance as one of the gallery assistants.

“It changed many people’s lives… After 50 years and during the anniversary of the birth of Joseph Beuys we are delighted that the amazing stories behind this ground-breaking event can finally be revealed.”

The work is due to be published later in 2021.

These examples are some of the 105 projects in total that have been awarded over £2.3million of National Lottery and Scottish Government funding through Creative Scotland in the latest rounds of Open Fund awards. 

A full list of recipients of Open Fund awards is available on the Creative Scotland website.

Iain Munro, CEO, Creative Scotland said: “Thanks to the generosity of National Lottery players, who raise £30 million for good causes across the UK every week, alongside equally welcome funding from the Scottish Government, these Open Fund awards are helping artists, creative organisations and communities to develop and share their work, and to keep culture and creativity at the heart of people’s lives as we look to recover from the challenges of the pandemic.”  

Launch of Edinburgh Crowdfunding Creativity Campaigns

20 creatives launch new campaigns and bid for up to £10,000 match funding

Eight Edinburgh based projects are among twenty creative projects across Scotland to launch their worldwide crowdfunding campaigns, thanks to a coaching and match-funding scheme run by Creative Scotland in partnership with Crowdfunder.

The Edinburgh based Crowdfunding campaigns include INKLINGS, a new non-fiction series from award winning, independent publisher 404 INK; 

ReStyler a brand-new and sustainable garment restyling alteration service from award-winning social enterprise Remode Collective; 

Ink on Mesh, a community print, and textiles studio facility offering fully equipped studio space from contemporary textiles brand Blessed Unrest;

songwriter Amy Duncan is fundraising for her new album ‘Cocoon’; and

Rowanbank Environmental Arts & Education CIC is fundraising to develop an original outdoor circus & theatre show, ‘Positive Imaginings’, that engages children with the issue of climate change and how it is linked to our connection with the natural world, amongst others.

As part of the Creative Scotland Crowdmatch programme, the creatives have been building their campaigns with coaching support from Crowdfunder over the past four weeks. 

Now ‘live’, once projects raise £1,000 from at least 30 supporters they will receive £1,000 match funding from the National Lottery through Creative Scotland.

Further match funding is potentially available, up to a maximum of £10,000 per project, for those that reach additional funding targets, until the total sum available of £75,000 is allocated.

Jason Nuttall, Programme Director at Crowdfunder said: “Working with Creative Scotland in 2020 was a very positive experience so we’re pleased to be collaborating once again on what is shaping up another fantastic round of crowdfunding.

“We had a huge response to this year’s call for entry, with an amazing range of ideas submitted for big and small creative projects across Scotland. Throughout the COVID crisis we have worked with thousands of organisations, so we know that crowdfunding has many positive benefits, even during tough times.

“Good luck to all the entrants, we’re looking forward to sharing the highs, lows, and surprises over the coming weeks.

Jackie Stewart, Creative Industries Officer, Creative Scotland said: “We’re delighted to continue working with Crowdfunder to help more creative businesses in Scotland gain a deeper understanding of crowdfunding by giving them the coaching and tools to launch their own campaigns.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for the projects selected to grow their networks, increase awareness of their work and build stronger connections with their customers and audiences.

“The arts and creative industries have been hit hard by the consequences of the pandemic and crowdfunding offers creative individuals and businesses a viable way to generate the income required for creative projects and to sustain and grow a business.

“Thanks to the generosity of National Lottery players, who raise £30 million for good causes across the UK every week these creative projects will be supported to deliver a fantastic range of work.”

About the Creative Scotland Crowdmatch 2021 projects in Edinburgh

Heather McDaid and Laura Jones of award-winning independent publisher 404 Ink is crowdfunding for the launch of their non-fiction series INKLINGS.

The eight titles, part of their series of big ideas in compact packages, are designed for the curious reader, looking to learn more on subjects that they may be interested in learning more about, but don’t know where to start.

Laura Jones, co-founder & publisher, 404 Ink: “What a thrill to see our new Inklings series launched with Crowdfunder and the Creative Scotland Crowdmatch initiative!

“The idea for this series came mid-pandemic when life was looking bleak for so many people and 404 Ink was in hibernation and now that idea has bloomed into a full series of topics that are vital, timely, and insightful, we can’t wait to get the books into people’s hands.

“We’re honoured to be working with such talented writers who are trusting us with their words and experiences – we hope we can do them justice and that this campaign will launch the Inklings with the fanfare it deserves.”

Edinburgh based songwriter Amy Duncan is fundraising for her new album ‘Cocoon’, which was written during lockdown.

Amy will be working with percussionist Guy Nicolson and co producer Cameron Malcolm to record the album. 

Find out more: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/amy-duncan-cocoon

Amy Duncan commented: “I am a music artist based in Scotland and will be releasing a new album next November. It was written in 2020 throughout the lockdown and it is my hope that the songs will resonate widely with people through the shared experience of being in the midst of a global pandemic. 

“I will be working with PR specialist Black Arts PR who work with renowned artists such as Mogwai and C Duncan. Crowdfunding will cover costs of recording, PR, radio plugging, and a special live stream album launch gig which I will perform with a band in an Edinburgh venue.”

Isla Munro is crowdfunding the 100 Days Project Scotland which encourages people to undertake daily creative pursuits which will be exhibited in an annual show.

Find out more: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/100-days-project-scotland

Building on the award-winning album Songs of Separation, Jenny Hill is fundraising for ‘SoS Music – ALL SING!’.

The project will bring together community choir leaders from across the UK to enjoy a rewarding creative residential which will result in new song teaching resources.

Find out more: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/sos-music—all-sing

Contemporary textiles brand Blessed Unrest is crowdfunding Ink on Mesh, a community print, and textiles studio facility offering fully equipped studio space, a wide range of classes and expert technical support to its community.

Find out more: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/ink-on-mesh

Lorna Brown of Blessed Unrest commented: “With the support of Creative Scotland Crowdmatch and Crowdfunder UK I’m looking to achieve my dream of establishing INK on MESH in the heart of my local community.

“The studio will allow me to continue to develop my own textiles brand as well as providing invaluable space and specialized equipment for developing, emerging and graduate textile practitioners.

“I know just how challenging it is to pursue your professional career as a textile graduate without access to screens, studio space and the support networks that college life offers”.

Award-winning social enterprise Remode Collective are crowdfunding ReStyler, a brand-new and sustainable garment restyling alteration and mending service in Edinburgh.

Find out more: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/restyler

Producer Penny Davies (co-owner of Smashing Pictures) is working with an all-female team including Director Shiona McCubbin and Writer Amy Hawes to crowdfund their short film ‘Maureen’.

Find out more: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/maureen-short-film

Penny Davies commented: “Shiona, Amy and I have talked about working together a number of times, so we’re absolutely delighted to have been selected for Creative Scotland Crowdfunder with our short film Maureen.

Amy has written a fantastic script, and we have a wonderful all-female team lined up – we can’t wait to get going now!”

Rowanbank Environmental Arts & Education CIC is fundraising to develop an original outdoor circus & theatre show, ‘Positive Imaginings’, that engages children with the issue of climate change and how it is linked to our connection with the natural world. 

Find out more: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/rowanbank

Rowanbank Environmental Arts & Education commented: “2021 is the year we must address the climate emergency.

“Coming out of COVID-19 we have an opportunity to create a new way of living. Scotland is hosting COP26 this year, the most important meeting on climate change since 2015 when the Paris agreement was drawn up. This project aims to both educate and give a voice to children creating a sense of agency and hope for their future.”

For the full list of projects across Scotland please visit: 

Creative Scotland Crowdmatch: Meet the Crowdfunders | Creative Scotland