National Lottery Funding 'instrumental' for Alasdair Gray Archive

30 May 2024

With backing from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland’s Open Fund, new commissioning opportunities for creatives and curators will soon be available through The Alasdair Gray Archive.

Two people examining the open drawer of an old desk covered in well-used art supplies. On the wall is a sign that reads 'Alasdair Gray Archive.'

The Alasdair Gray Archive, photography by Alasdair Watson.

Established after Gray’s death in 2019, The Archive serves as both a free-to-access resource of his works and an organisation which promotes the visual and literary arts in Gray’s name. It also regularly commissions new creative and curatorial works using Gray’s art as a catalyst for artistic response and seeks to promote educational opportunities and inspire creators through residencies, awards and student placements.

This award from the Open Fund will support two strands of development. Firstly, it will fund a year-long program of activities, allowing The Archive to enhance public engagement through education and outreach, and to offer three new commissions in collaboration with organisations like the Edwin Morgan Trust. Secondly, the award will facilitate a period of organisational development for The Archive.

Several people exploring a small storage room with art supplies, desks and equipment, a patterned Persian rug, boxes on high shelves and framed professional black and white photos on the wall.

The Alasdair Gray Archive, photography by Alasdair Watson.

Sorcha Dallas, custodian of The Alasdair Gray Archive commented: "The recent Open Funding secured for The Alasdair Gray Archive will be instrumental in enabling us to grow our Creative Commissions over the next year in ambition and partnership, offering two new funded opportunities for creatives and one for an early-stage curator, alongside a meaningful engagement program shaped and delivered with communities. It will also allow us some support to develop our organisational plan for the next five years, co-created with our board.”

This award is one of 53 totaling £1,048,834 made through the latest round of Creative Scotland’s Open Fund. The full list of awards is available to download in xlsx format.

A group of young musicians seated in a row on a stage playing various instruments: a flute, pipes, fiddles - at the end of the row is a man playing the guitar. On the wall behind them a giant projection reads 'SEALL'

The Small Halls Closing Concert with Young Musicians from SEALL - another of the Open Fund recipients from April 2024. Image by Caroline McQustin.

Paul Burns, Interim Director of Arts at Creative Scotland commented: “It is incredibly heartening to see the Open Fund supporting projects that offer significant opportunities to artists and audiences throughout Scotland. Organisations like The Alasdair Gray Archive inspire us by honouring a great figure while providing educational opportunities and championing the arts in his name.”

Background

Creative Scotland’s Open Fund

The Open Fund is one of Creative Scotland’s key funding routes, supporting a wide range of activity initiated by artists, producers and other creative practitioners in Scotland. The Open Fund has no deadlines, and full eligibility criteria and application guidance can be found on the Creative Scotland website.

The National Lottery has raised more than £41 billion for more than 565,000 good causes across the UK since 1994. Thanks to The National Lottery players, up to £600 million has been made available to support people, projects and communities throughout the UK during the Coronavirus crisis.

Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland, distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow us on X, Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about the value of art and creativity in Scotland and join in at www.ourcreativevoice.scot