Current Funding Available For Artists

Demand for support for artists and freelancers is high. We thought it would be helpful to collate a list of current funds that visual artists can apply for:

Creative Scotland Open Fund. This fund aims to enable individuals and organisations to explore ways of working that will help them to adapt and respond to the current changing circumstances. Funding is available for applications between £1,000 – £100,000.

The Visual Artist and Craft Makers Awards (VACMA) are a programme of small grants schemes with a range of local authorities and art agencies across Scotland to support Scotland-based visual artists and craft makers in their creative and professional development. The next deadline is 10th November and awards of £500 and £750 are available.

The new Jerwood Live Work Fund, worth £660k, will support at least 33 individuals over 12 months with awards of £20,000 to adapt their approach to making and sharing live work. It is for artists, creatives and producers with no more than ten years’ experience, based anywhere in the UK, whose practice pre-Covid-19 focused and relied on live performance. This includes those with artistic/creative practices based in music, theatre, opera, circus, dance, live art and performance as well as those who work in the gaps between these disciplines. Deadline for applications is 16th November.

Tasgadh Small Grants for Traditional Arts Fund is devolved from Creative Scotland managed by Fèisean nan Gàidheal and open to organisations and individuals. Tasgadh is designed to provide support for traditional artists and organisations to create, perform, tour and showcase work. The fund can also support professional development and learning projects.

The 2020 Balavoulin Art Group (BAG) Grants are now open for submissions from artists with a strong connection to the Highlands and Islands region of Scotland. They are committed to supporting artists who are continuing to work on projects and develop their careers, despite difficulties. Applications are welcome until the 15th Nov.

The Awesome Foundation Glasgow Chapter are giving £500, no-strings-attached mini-grants to cool projects that will make Glasgow and the world more Awesome. Awards are made every two months.

The British Council are offering support to artists, cultural professionals and art collective members in the UK and Southeast Asia to fund Connections Through Culture Arts and Creative Economy Research. Applications are due by 8 Nov.

The William Syson Foundation Funding is open to non-profit arts organisations and individuals who wish to apply for assistance. With a particular focus on individuals resident in Scotland, Applications for small grants (up to £5,000) and larger grants (from £5,001) are welcome at any time.

Please do feel free to share any other funds with us and we will continue to add to this list as we hear about more.