Who funds Creative Scotland?
Creative Scotland distributes funding from two primary sources - the Scottish Government and the UK National Lottery.
With this funding, we support a portfolio of organisations across Scotland, help with the development of individuals, funding ideas and projects, and deliver specific activity with partners.
What are Creative Scotland's main funding routes?
Creative Scotland's funding is split into three main types of support - Open Funding, Regular Funding, and a small amount of Targeted Funding, as well as funding delivered by partners.
A snapshot of all funding programme deadlines from us and our partner organisations can be found on the Funding Deadlines page.
Details of previous funding programmes can be found in the Funding Archive.
Open Funding
Open Fund for Individuals
The Open Fund for Individuals is one of Creative Scotland’s key funding programmes, supporting the wide range of activity initiated by artists, writers, producers and other creative practitioners in Scotland.
Freelance and self-employed artists and creative practitioners living in Scotland who are at least 18 years old can apply.
You can apply for between £500 and £50,000.
There are no deadlines for this fund – you can apply year-round.
National Lottery Open Fund for Organisations
The National Lottery Open Fund for Organisations is an update of the Open Fund: Sustaining Creative Development Fund which Creative Scotland administered between 2020 and early 2023.
The fund aims to continue to support organisations who seek funding to undertake creative activity such as a specific project or production, a programme of creative work, or a period of research and development.
The fund can also support business change and development projects, such as those that make the organisation more financially sustainable or focus on broader organisational development.
Regular Funding
Regular Funding provides stable support for a range of organisations and consortia across Scotland who make an important contribution to the development of the arts, screen and creative industries, enabling them to plan and deliver activities over a 3-year period.
The Regular Funding Network 2018-21 consists of 121 organisations, of which 19 are new and 102 continue with three-year funding, supported by £101.6m Grant in Aid funding through a three-year commitment from the Scottish Government.
Targeted Funding
Targeted Funds are a series of funds which support specific activities and development needs in an art form, specialism, or place. Examples include funds allocated by the Scottish Government for specific purposes (such as the Youth Music Initiative) and UK National Lottery funds such as support for screen.
We deliver a small number of targeted funds which have specific priorities or shared goals with other agencies. Within this, there are a number of funds, sometimes called 'devolved funds', which are delivered by partner organisations.
A full list of our targeted funds can be found in our Annual Plan.
Subsidy Control
As a public body, Creative Scotland must comply with Subsidy Control legislation. Learn more on the Subsidy Control page.
More Information on Creative Scotland's funding
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If you need more information please get in touch with our Enquiries team using the form on our Contact Us page.