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Scottish Government announces details of £15million Culture Organisations and Venues Recovery Fund

The Scottish Government has announced details of a £15million Culture Organisations and Venues Recovery Fund. 

Applications open on Thursday 17th September, and anyone considering submitting a bid is advised to get familiar with the eligibility criteria and guidelines, which have now been published. 

 

“We are looking for applications from organisations that are most critical to the cultural life of Scotland and whose existence is threatened by COVID-19 restrictions,” the guidance reads. 

“It includes both organisations that provide opportunities for audiences (including, but not limited to: galleries, commercial theatres, performing arts spaces, festivals, 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).” 

Crucially, organisations must have been working in Scotland’s cultural sector before April 2019, and be in direct threat of insolvency as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. 

“It’s been an extremely difficult time for the culture sector this year. We’ve done everything we can to alleviate some of the immediate challenges but we know many businesses will continue to struggle until they can fully reopen,” said Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop. 

“The Culture Organisations and Venue Recovery Fund will aid a range of cultural businesses and help them weather the most critical challenges they face. I’m grateful to Creative Scotland for the pace they’ve worked at to develop the funding and its distribution.”

The UK government has already announced a £1.57billion Culture Recovery Fund and the first 135 venues that will receive emergency grants. Nevertheless, the music and arts sectors have voiced major concerns over the level of support available, with artists such as Faithless’ Sister Bliss describing a UK electronic music and club scene ”left in the corner to rot”. Watch Pioneer DJ’s documentary, ‘Distant Dancefloors’, for a 360-degree view on the economic fallout of the pandemic and its impact on music.

 

 

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