Funding & Support Available During Covid-19

We currently find ourselves in an unprecedented situation with information changing daily. We understand that this may be an increasingly uncertain time for artists and makers so have created a short guide detailing resources, advice, and funding opportunities currently available to you. This guide aims to provide you with information and resources regarding the cultural sector. However, please note that the information below is subject to change so please visit the UK Government’s website to keep fully updated.

Creative Scotland have a collated an A-Z of funding and resources available for those in the creative community, who have been affected by COVID-19. They have also launched three funding programmes designed to provide further support to sustain the country’s creative community during the COVID-19 outbreak:

The Creative Scotland Bridging Bursary Fund will help sustain creative practice by freelance creative professionals who have lost earnings due to the cancelation of work as a result of COVID-19.

The Screen Scotland Bridging Bursary Fund will provide similar one-off bursary support to self-employed screen sector workers.

The Open Fund: Sustaining Creative Development will provide support for individuals and organisations to sustain their creative development in the coming months.

Read more here

Arts Council England have announced that they will offer individuals and organisations working in the cultural sector new financial support during this crisis. These emergency funding streams will be open to applications very soon. £20 million will be available to individuals working in the cultural sector, including artists, creative practitioners and freelancers with grants available up to the value of £2,500.

Read more here

On the 27 March, The Arts Council of Northern Ireland welcomed the announcement by the Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey to put in place funding of £1m to support the arts sector in Northern Ireland. They have also published a list of additional potential funding sources for artists and arts organisations here.

Read more here

The Arts Council of Wales announced on the 1st April the launch of a Resilience Fund to help the arts in Wales to protect themselves against the impact of the Coronavirus crisis. Full details are to be published on Tuesday 7 April 2020 but it will cover a £7m Resilience Fund jointly financed by the Welsh Government and Arts Council of Wales and funding for individuals and organisations.

Read more here

The UK Government announced a new scheme on Thursday 26 March 2020 that will allow those self-employed to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of your trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 per month for the next 3 months. HMRC will contact you if you are eligible for the scheme and invite you to apply online.

Read more here

Craft Scotland have worked with Hollis Accounting Ltd. to create a comprehensive overview of the current financial support available to individuals and organisations during Coronavirus (COVID-19).

There is a handy overview section that shows at a glance what support is potentially available to you. Plus, an extensive FAQ answering many of the queries they have received.

>>> Download the toolkit here

Scottish Enterprise have launched a new helpline for Scottish businesses seeking tailored advice on COVID-19. It will be open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm. The helpline number is 0300 303 0660.

Federation of Small Businesses have collated a guide for small businesses that covers business continuity planning and advice if you need to close your business. you can also register to view their free webinars on their website and the next is scheduled for Friday 3 April: How to access support and help from local councils.

The Scottish Welfare Fund is a crisis grant available through your local authority for those who are experiencing or who may experience severe financial difficulties.

IPSE, The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed, have collated a list of key measures announced in the recent UK Government budget to help self-employed individuals during this time.

Creative Entrepreneurs Club have created a range of creative industry events online so you can continue to develop your business skills and learning whilst at home.

SCAN (Scottish Contemporary Art Network) have prepared a toolkit to help support digital working, meetings and events.

The cultural sector has had to think and act quickly and effectively in order to follow Government advice. The Scottish Gallery has closed its doors temporarily for the first time in 178 years. The safety of our staff and gallery visitors is our priority. However, we are still very active and you can join us online instead where you can view our current and forthcoming exhibition programme. The team is still available for questions or enquiries by email and we are working hard to ensure we have exciting social media content to keep you company and our website is up to date. Please enjoy and follow us!

During these uncertain times we wish to provide a unique glimpse into gallery artists’ studios as many are busy creating behind closed doors. We have asked gallery artists if they would like to make a short film describing what life is like for them in the lockdown. We weren’t sure what the response was going to be, given everyone’s different circumstances, but it has been overwhelmingly positive. We would like to thank all the artists who have taken the time or are in the process of filming.

All the film clips compiled so far can be viewed in our blog here. They are being posted online and will be on our film section of our website very soon – we are delighted, surprised and overjoyed with the positive feedback.

Below is a fine example from Jonathan Christie – enjoy!