Question reference: S5W-31693
- Date lodged: 9 September 2020
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Current status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 18 September 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent announcement that the culture and heritage sectors are to receive a £59 million funding package to protect jobs and help the industry weather the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, when access to this funding package will be available; how this is being communicated to local cultural organisations; whether individuals can apply to the fund; how the fund will be disbursed; who will consider the bids, and how it will ensure the equanimity of awards so that all cultural communities will benefit.
Answer
The £59 million funding package for the culture and heritage sectors comprises a number of different funds which have been designed to support parts of the culture and creative sectors which we know have been badly impacted by COVID-19.
The funding is being delivered through Creative Scotland and key updates are being published regularly on its website: https://www.creativescotland.com/funding . Funds are open to individuals, groups or organisations to apply for and will support a wide range of activity in the arts, screen and creative industries.
The funds include: the £15 million Culture Organisations and Venues Recovery Fund which is open to applications from 17 September; £3.5 million Independent Cinemas Recovery and Resilience Fund which opened to applications on 14 September; £5 million Creative Freelancer Hardship Fund for which Creative Scotland issued an open call for partner organisations to help with distribution on 11 September; £3.5 million Sustaining Creative Practice funding which has been added to Creative Scotland’s existing Open Fund and is open for applications from individuals now; and a £3 million Youth Arts Fund for which details are being finalised and are due to be announced this week.
The eligibility and assessment criteria will be designed to meet the aims of each fund and Creative Scotland will be responsible for assessing the applications and ensuring that awards are distributed fairly.