Arts & Business Scotland announces the launch of a new funding strand that brings together the creativity of the culture sector with the business acumen of those in business and the public sector, to give support in their recovery in the wake of the Covid-19 Pandemic.
The Culture & Business Fund Scotland COVID-19 Renewal & Recovery Strand, a continuation of the existing Culture & Business Fund Scotland (CBFS), is subject to fewer regulations in terms of eligibility, meaning that more businesses, public bodies and culture organisations can apply than ever before.
The COVID-19 Recovery & Renewal Strand offers up to three years of 100% pound for pound match funding of between £1k – £40k and is open to all applicants, including those who have previously received CBFS funding, no matter how recently. These changes to the criteria and guidelines came into effect on 1st March 2021 and will be applicable for applications received before 31st March 2024.
The world has changed radically over the past twelve months and Arts & Business Scotland is reflecting this by not only providing arts, culture and heritage organisations with much needed funds, but also to enabling businesses and public bodies to access the expertise, perspectives and skills that exist within arts, culture, heritage and creative organisations, that can help them on the road to covid recovery.
Embracing fresh insights and creative approaches of culture organisations can support businesses through these transitions by opening up new ways of working to facilitate team building and staff wellbeing.
David Watt, Chief Executive of Arts & Business Scotland, said, “There can be a perception that funding initiatives pairing the commercial and culture sectors is a white knight situation, where the arts, heritage or creative organisation is rescued by a business through solely financial support. With the Culture & Business Fund Scotland Covid Recovery & Renewal Strand this isn’t, doesn’t have to be, and shouldn’t be the case.
Particularly now, after over a year of extreme uncertainty and varying degrees of isolation, businesses are looking at to how best to support staff and ensure the wellness of their workforce, and culture organisations can hold the key and provide diverse solutions.
“Informed by extensive stakeholder engagement and reflecting the impact of the pandemic on every aspect of life, the changes to the Cultural Business Fund Scotland mean more organisations and businesses are eligible than ever before and we hope to inspire the cultural and commercial sectors in Scotland to work together in building the road to covid recovery.”
The CBFS has an evident track record with the V&A Dundee securing a commitment in 2018 from NCR Solutions Group through the fund to support their launch with NCR Dundee employees being given the opportunity to take part in events thanks to the partnership. And help doesn’t just go to large or global scale organisations.
The Sligachan Hotel on the Isle of Skye partnered with SEALL Festival of Small Halls in 2018 eliciting the comment from Dierdre Curley who is Director at The Sligachan Hotel, “The Isle of Skye is so often celebrated for its beauty, but we also need to keep investing in our culture, our music, our people. This is without a doubt a step in the right direction for Skye and its local communities, and for people in Scotland and around the world to get an idea of who we are as islanders and what we want to represent.”
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 