Creative Scotland today published details of the Scottish Government’s Culture Organisations and Venues Recovery Fund, which forms part of the £31.5m emergency funding for culture announced by the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, on 28 August.
The £15 million Culture Organisations and Venues Recovery Fund aims to provide emergency support to organisations that provide opportunities for cultural engagement and have been unable to trade due to the impact of Covid-19.
Its primary aim is to protect jobs and to support the sustainability of organisations threatened by insolvency in the short to medium term.
Eligibility criteria and guidelines for applying to the Fund have been published today ahead of opening for applications on Thursday 17 September. The fund has specific exclusions, these are detailed on pages 5 & 6 of the CS guidance document. Exclusions include any organisation who gains support through the Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund (with decisions due on that funding scheme by 24 September).
Full guidelines can be found by following the link below. A summary of the Press Release can be found below.
CS Press Release Summary
Who can apply?
Organisations that provide opportunities for audiences (including, but not limited to: galleries, commercial theatres, performing arts spaces, comedy clubs and nightclubs) as well as those that enable and deliver cultural activity (including, but not limited to: production facilities, music and dance companies).
How much can I apply for?
Applicants can apply for between £10k and £150k and up to £250k on an exceptional basis (see page 7 of the CS guidance document for more information). The total fund is £15 million and this money comes directly from the Scottish Government.
Who can apply?
Organisations need to have been working in Scotland’s culture sector before April 2019, and who are at significant threat of insolvency as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. The fund has specific exclusions, these are detailed on pages 5 & 6 of the CS guidance document. Exclusions include any organisation who gains support through the Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund (with decisions due on that funding scheme by 24 September).
Information required from applicants?
If your application is eligible then you will be asked by Creative Scotland to:
- demonstrate your organisation’s impact on the cultural life of Scotland
- demonstrate that your organisat ion was financially viable before COVID-19
- demonstrate that funding is required to prevent insolvency or job losses.
How to apply?
Via Creative Scotland online application portal, a link to the portal will go live on this webpage at 12 noon on the 17 September.
Timeline for the fund?
| Thursday 17 September 2020, 12 noon | Online application portal goes live |
| Thursday 24 September 2020, 12 noon | Deadline for Applications |
| September and October 2020 | Assessments will take place |
| Early November 2020 | Applicants will be informed of decisions |