Connecting communities in Scotland
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Communities across Scotland are to receive new funding to ensure
everyone can benefit from the creative arts. Eleven grassroots
projects have been selected to receive a share of £320,000 from the
Scottish Government's Creative Communities Scotland fund, which
supports organisations delivering activities such as dance,
filmmaking, creative writing, music-making and storytelling. The
fund aims to support and empower communities to develop cultural
activities that benefit...Request free
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Communities across Scotland are to receive new funding to ensure everyone can benefit from the creative arts. Eleven grassroots projects have been selected to receive a share of £320,000 from the Scottish Government's Creative Communities Scotland fund, which supports organisations delivering activities such as dance, filmmaking, creative writing, music-making and storytelling. The fund aims to support and empower communities to develop cultural activities that benefit individual and collective wellbeing, with a focus on reaching those who face barriers to taking part in creative activities The programme will be managed by Inspiring Scotland, which will also provide project support to successful organisations while they plan, deliver and assess the impact of those activities. Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “Creativity can transform lives and create confidence within communities – so I'm very pleased that so many projects, from Galashiels to Orkney, Aberdeen and Govanhill, have been successful in their applications. “These grants will enable community-led organisations to develop and deliver projects that harness the power of creativity in supporting people and the communities they serve. “The Creative Communities Scotland fund forms part of a £34 million increase in support to the culture sector this year to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to take part in and benefit from the creative arts, no matter their background or location.” Erica Judge, Director of Funds at Inspiring Scotland, said: “The high level of interest in Creative Communities Scotland shows the incredible potential of creative and cultural activities to positively impact people's lives. "By supporting 11 organisations working across 9 local authorities, this funding will help communities overcome barriers to cultural participation – creating opportunities to enjoy the arts, reduce loneliness, strengthen communities, develop new creative skills, and experience joy and pride.”
Dave Close, Executive Director of the Hot Chocolate Trust
said: Background: Creative Communities Scotland successful applicants 2025-26
A Place in Childhood – £20,034
Camglen Buddies Leisure & Social Club –
£11,933 Working with a videographer and a theatre professional, adults with additional support needs will have the opportunity to produce their own film, addressing key aspects from storyboarding, creating sets/props, filming and finally, celebrating their production.
Eildon West Youth Hub –
£23,572 ‘Chromonauts: Demolition Art' is a year-long, youth-led visual arts programme for young people who face multiple barriers to creative participation. The project will work with young people to reclaim ‘overlooked corners' of Galashiels to create new art-works/civic spaces.
Empower Women for Change –
£29,372 Participants will co-design and co-facilitate a programme of creative arts activities called Freedom in Expression: Joy in Creativity. This will provide safe, culturally relevant spaces where women from ethnic minority backgrounds, particularly refugees and asylum seekers, can express themselves through creative writing, painting, clay, glassmaking, collage, yoga, mindfulness, and storytelling.
ESOL Scotland – £34,293 This year-long programme of workshops will integrate English language learning with film making and photography, contributing to a community exhibition and screening that 'celebrates the voices and journeys of our learners'.
Forgan Arts Centre –
£33,439 Building on a previous pilot, the organisation will run two strands of creative workshops for adult and young carers. Working with professional artists, the workshops will focus on building creative participation, wellbeing, and connection between carers.
Friends of Sanday Kirk –
£31,720 Focused around Sanday Kirk and a Craft Hub, the project will create three separate pieces of art using different techniques: community mosaic project, mural project on Craft Hub's gable wall, and the design and construction of a herring-shaped public bench to celebrate the island's fishing heritage and its former herring yard, benefiting the whole community.
Gorebridge Community Development Trust –
£34,423 The Create365 arts project aims to improve wellbeing for the community and reduce isolation through four strands of work: 1) weekly rhythm sessions focused on art, music and writing; 2) monthly themed sessions; 3) seasonal sessions; and, 4) a ‘big year' showcase presenting the output from the three other strands.
Hot Chocolate Trust – £34,413 This project will provide a year-long set of music producing activities aimed at 12-21 year olds. These sessions will offer young people the opportunity to begin their engagement with music all the way through to exploring professional music pathways.
Romano Lav – £32,448 Co-produced with community members and co-facilitated by Roma staff, this community arts programme will support participants of all ages and genders to take part in a range of art forms including visual/digital arts, storytelling, ceramics, film and photography. It will culminate in a final exhibition as part of the Govanhill International Festival.
Touch of Love Outreach –
£34,291 The 'New Young Scots: Fix & Design Lab' will work with young people to collect, repair and redesign everyday items. Its aim is for the young people involved to gain practical and social skills, reduce isolation and celebrate identity and culture through arts-based upcycling. |