SCAN Survey: Cultural Organisations and Venues Recovery Fund

SCAN ran a member survey during the last week of September on their take-up of Creative Scotland’s Cultural Organisations and Venues Recovery (COVR) Fund.

We found that 62% of organisations responding did not apply to the COVR fund. The most cited reason for not applying was because the organisation did not face insolvency between October 2020 and March 2021 (26%).

While those who did not apply for the main reason of not facing insolvency in the period October 2020-March 2021, the scale of need remained urgent and threat came soon after. One said: ‘We will manage until April 2021, our biggest concern is June onwards.’

Our findings echo what we have heard already from our membership and wider sector. The primary reason for not applying was around the criteria for immediate insolvency, but that the need for targeted support is still great.

We know that organisations will be taking budgets to their boards at the end of this calendar year. With an uncertain financial outlook, boards may be forced to make decisions on jobs by April 2021. The ‘second cliff-edge’ may come sooner than we think.

The survey also shows the extent to which visual art organisations have ‘juggled’ and done what they can to remain afloat to date. We know that this cannot last – but it does show that the contemporary visual community is innovative and agile. With the right support, these organisations will continue to play a role in sparking wider cultural and societal change.

Click below to download the full findings.