Nearly £1 million distributed to Scotland’s artists and creative activities

Supporting artists in building lasting careers, fostering community connections, and offering extraordinary audience experiences

Creative Scotland’s latest round of Open Fund awards sees £975,982 distributed to a wide array of artists and organisations, supporting essential needs such as dedicated time for research and development, childcare provision, networking, and fostering international connections. This funding, backed by The National Lottery and the Scottish Government empowers artists to focus on their creative growth while also providing resources to enhance community engagement and strengthen cultural ties.

A woman with long blonde hair wearing a black top looking pensive. In the background black ink-like blotches on paper and the walls form abstract shapes.

Mhairi Killin Studio, image credit Shannon Tofts.

Among the dedicated research and development grants is one awarded to Hebridean artist Mhairi Killin, supporting her collaboration with Artica Svalbard, a leading Norwegian organisation focused on cultural and social change. Together, they will explore the effects of climate change on island archipelagos. This unique initiative will connect Svalbard and the Hebrides, enabling knowledge exchange between two regions facing similar environmental challenges. The work generated from this collaboration will be exhibited in both Scotland and Norway in 2026, demonstrating how artistic inquiry can strengthen community resilience and promote a sustainable future.

Recipients taking part in residencies and retreats include visual artist Berenice Tonner who will embark on a self-guided 14-day artistic retreat exploring the intersection of caregiving and creativity, and how personal experiences of care can be translated into participatory projects that resonate with audiences. 

A kind of abstract digital photographic and hand drawn image of a grey and brown long and spiky shape

Fata Morgana, Digital photographic and drawn imagery on metal and fabric. In Search of the Pluriverse, Het Nieuwe Instituut, Rotterdam 2022 Image credit Mhairi Killin.

These awards are among 65 individual grants made to writers, musicians, theatre and performance makers and creative practitioners including

  • Funding for Dance Horizons for their Innovations Contemporary Dance Platform, which will provide spaces for independent dance artists, companies, and collectives to present new works
  • A follow-up to award-winning author Jenni Fagan’s 2012 novel The Panopticon
  • The return of SEALL Festival of Small Halls for 2024.
  • The debut album of electro-pop artist/producer SHEARS.
  • White Gold, an innovative art project that seeks to unite cultures through the creation of intricately hand-embroidered shepherd cloaks.

The full list of awards made in this round of the Open Fund can be downloaded in .xlsx format.

Paul Burns, Interim Director of Arts at Creative Scotland said: "These diverse awards and projects underscore the crucial role that Creative Scotland’s Open Fund plays for organisations and individuals alike, helping to address and nurture artistic growth, support cultural collaboration and provide opportunities for creative development across the country.”

Background

Header image credit: On Sonorous Seas - A Constellation of Strandings. 45 minute video created with CGI artist Tom DeMajo shown with re-flective flooring. An Tobar Gallery, Isle of Mull 2022 & Reid Gallery GSA, 2022 Photo credit Sarah Darling.

Creative Scotland’s Open Fund

  • In August 2024, Creative Scotland’s Open Fund made 65 awards totalling £975,982.
  • The Open Fund for Individuals will reopen for applications at 2pm on Tuesday 8 October. The National Lottery Open Fund for Organisations remains open. 
  • The Open Fund is one of Creative Scotland’s key funding routes, supporting the 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 our website.   

Since The National Lottery began in 1994, National Lottery players have raised more than £47 billion for good causes. More than 670,000 individual grants have been made across the UK - the equivalent of around 240 lottery grants in every UK postcode district.

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

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