Scottish Government Launches New £5 Million Fund to Support Creative Freelancers
Edinburgh, Scotland – A new £5 million fund aimed at bolstering the Scottish creative freelance sector was unveiled today by the Scottish Government. The initiative, managed by Creative Scotland, seeks to address the financial precarity faced by many self-reliant artists and creative professionals following the impacts of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The fund will provide grants ranging from £750 to £10,000 to eligible freelancers working in areas such as visual arts, music, writing, performing arts, and screen.Priority will be given to those demonstrating financial need and those from underrepresented groups, including artists with disabilities and those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds. Applications open on November 27th, 2023, and will close on January 8th, 2024.
fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External affairs, emphasized the vital role of the creative industries to Scotland’s economy and cultural identity. “Scotland’s creative freelancers are the lifeblood of our vibrant cultural sector, and this fund is a direct response to the challenges they’ve faced,” Hyslop stated. “We recognize the unique pressures they operate under and are committed to providing targeted support to ensure their continued success.”
Creative Scotland will administer the fund through a two-stage application process. The first stage involves an eligibility check, followed by a more detailed assessment of financial need and artistic merit. A dedicated helpline and online resources will be available to assist applicants throughout the process.The fund is part of a broader £20 million package of support for the cultural sector announced earlier this year.
The Broader Context: The Challenges Facing Creative Freelancers
The freelance creative sector has long been characterized by instability, with many workers relying on short-term contracts and facing fluctuating income.Recent years have exacerbated these challenges. Brexit introduced new administrative burdens and restrictions on touring and collaboration with european partners. The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread cancellations of events and projects, leaving many freelancers without work for extended periods.
according to a 2022 report by the Arts Council England, freelancers comprise approximately 72% of the creative workforce in the UK. Though, they are substantially less likely to have access to traditional employee benefits such as sick pay and pensions.This financial insecurity can hinder artistic advancement and limit opportunities for long-term career planning.
The Scottish Government’s initiative builds on existing support programs, including the Fair Work first criteria, which encourages organizations receiving public funding to adopt fair employment practices. It also aligns with the broader national strategy for the creative industries,which aims to foster innovation,sustainability,and inclusivity within the sector. The fund is intended to provide a crucial lifeline for creative freelancers, enabling them to continue producing high-quality work and contributing to Scotland’s cultural landscape. Further details and application information can be found on the Creative Scotland website: https://www.creativescotland.com/
