Hello all, I am delighted to be working with FST at this important time for our sector. I know how difficult it is for all of our members just now and, given the broad spectrum of experience that makes up our membership, I appreciate that the current crisis will be challenging for you all in different ways.

I have been very fortunate that my career in arts management has included work in dance, theatre, opera and music and has spanned work with individual artists and freelance practitioners as well as with cultural organisations including, most recently, Creative Scotland. I am hoping that the range of my experience will be of value to all our members and will bring a useful perspective to FST’s work.

Since I started last week, I have been made aware of how lucky we are as a sector to have the support of a great team at FST, a committed and available Board and the active involvement of our members. I look forward to working with you all over the coming months.

An anti-racism conference for the UK’s theatre and dance sectors

When: Thursday 29 October & Tuesday 3,10, 24 November 2020

FST is pleased to be a sponsor for this online anti-racism conference for the UK’s theatre and dance sectors, presented by Inc Arts UK in partnership with Society of London Theatre (SOLT) & UK Theatre, Speak-Listen-Reset-Heal is a pertinent and vital gathering for the sector.

This conference will take place online, is open to everyone in the sector regardless of UK Theatre or FST membership, and will be fully accessible.

Acknowledging systemic and structural racism in the performing arts, the conference aims to effect real changes through authentic, constructive and direct dialogue between senior leaders and the diverse workforce, artists and organisations that interact with them. 

This conference will be run over a series of sessions with booking required for each.

This public-facing campaign has been devised by UK Theatre and aims to reassure audiences that venues have taken the necessary COVID-19 safety measures and are operating in line with Government guidelines when they are able to re-open.

The campaign will run across the UK and FST will be administering the applications in Scotland for all FST members who do not also hold UK Theatre Membership. UK Theatre Members can apply for the toolkit here.

Application for the See it Safely Toolkit is via a simple Google Form and more information can be found on the See it Safely page of our website, linked below.

The See it Safely Toolkit includes:

 - 'See it Safely' safety mark
 - Audience facing safety video w/captions and BSL
 - Assets for public signage
 - Approval copy and suggested website copy
 - and guidance on suggested Ticketing Principles and the 7 Inclusive Principles

Federation of Scottish Theatre would like to thank SOLT and UK Theatre for their cooperation and generosity in allowing the membership to utilise their See it Safely campaign in Scotland.

As mentioned in the September Members' Meeting it is our intention this year to offer our members as much support as is feasibly possible. Following the decision in April to delay renewals this year, we can now confirm the following (applicable to all existing members as of March 2020):

Full Members: we will be in contact with all full members to offer the previously announced 20% discount on your annual fee for this year. We will additionally be offering the option to 'pay what you can' and do not intend to cancel any full memberships this financial year regardless of ability to pay

Associate Members: will be invoiced at your normal rate

Individual Members: as previously announced individual membership fees have been waived until April 2021.

Scottish Government updates

The First Minister announced additional new COVID-19 restrictions across Scotland on 7 October 2020. There will be additional national and local measures in place from 10 – 26 October 2020 to reduce opportunities for the virus to spread.

The additional public safety measures announced on 7 October prohibit any outdoor performances or organised outdoor activity involving non-professional participants for the period 10 - 26 October in the Central Belt area.

Outdoor performances and outdoor participatory activities are currently allowed and can continue during this period outwith the Central Belt, subject to government guidance. Face coverings are now required to be worn by staff in all shared spaces within the workplace across Scotland.

As a result of the new restrictions both the Performing Arts and Venues guidance, and Events sector guidance has also been updated. 

You can also find a summary of these updates on the FST site by clicking the button below.

Creative Scotland updates

On 8 October Creative Scotland released its latest updates regarding the Scottish Government's emergency funds for creativity and culture in Scotland. These funds are being delivered through Creative Scotland. Key points are summarised below...

Culture Organisation and Venues Recovery Fund (£15milion): applications opened 17 September with a deadline of 24 September. 348 applications have been received totaling over £22million. Application assessments are now taking place and decisions will be communicated early November.

Creative Freelancer Hardship Fund (£5million): an open call for partner organisations to help distribute this fund was launched on 11 September, with a deadline of 25 September. Contracts are currently being finalised by CS with eligible funding partners, details will be announced on 15 October with the fund opening for application later this month. 

Creative Scotland’s Open Fund (£3.5million): the application threshold has been increased from 50k to 100k, and the fund is live and open to both individuals and organisations.

Youth Arts funding package (£3million): comprises of at least £1.2million through the Access to Youth Arts Fund which is open to applications until 12 November; the £700,000 Small Grants Scheme which is open to applications until 2 November. Further details can be read by following the link below.

Culture Collective Programme (£1.5million): details for this fund are due to be announced in the coming weeks. Its aim is to support organisations in employing freelance artists to work in and with communities across Scotland.

Thanks to all of those who contribute to the Culture Counts Manifesto highlighted in the last newsletter. This month we are sharing a short-film, created by Culture Counts during lockdown to tell stories about the role of arts and culture in developing sustainable communities. Produced by Woodchip films, the film’s three contributors are; Anne Gallagher, Director, Luminate; Fiona Doring, Director, Impact Arts; and Kate Wimpress, Director, North Edinburgh Arts. 

Monthly newsletters highlight the month ahead, and as ever you can find all upcoming FST events on our site or by clicking the button below.

We also share upcoming events from select partners through our social media on both Facebook and Twitter.

Upcoming Deadlines

Click on the fund or opportunity name to find out more information.

'Space / Time' Residency for Parents & Carers | Deadline 22 Oct. 
For many parents/ carers, home during the pandemic has become the workplace, the classroom, even the gym. Magnetic North, in partnership with FST, is offering this unique paid residency, an opportunity for experienced artists who are parents/ carers to reflect on their creative practice.

Rolling Deadlines

At FST we have a selection of funds open to FST Members with rolling deadlines, accepting applications throughout the year.

Online Training Fund: This new FST fund is our response to Covid-19 and has been designed to enable our members to take advantage of online CPD opportunities during these times. You can apply for up to £250 per person across all disciplines in the sector.

FST Technical Training Fund: This fund provides financial support, up to £200 per person, to theatre professionals to ensure their professional skills are up-to-date and in line with the latest practice and technology in the sector. It is open to full and part-time employees as well as freelance and casual staff working in technical theatre and production roles in Scotland.

Euan Turner Training Fund: The purpose of this fund is to financially support freelance and employed technical, production and stage management personnel in the performing arts sector in Scotland to undertake training for nationally recognised health and safety qualifications. This fund is open to FST Members and non-members so please share.

In June 2020 FST convened an advisory group to provide clarity on Health and Safety matters for theatres & theatrical producing companies relating to Covid-19. The group is meeting regularly to collate and signpost current Government, professional and union guidance. The H&S section was last updated on 9 October to reflect the most recent Scottish Government guidance.

You can always find the most up to date listings by visiting the Jobs section on our website.

This month you can find opportunities at Cumbernauld Theatre; The Lyceum; and Imaginate.
If you'd like to list your opportunities on our website or highlighted on our social media channels then please contact us at hello@scottishtheatre.org.