Equal Opportunities

Creative Scotland puts equality at the heart of its activity, and we aim to acknowledge and reflect the diversity in Scotland today in all our work with the arts, screen and creative industries.

Creative Scotland’s Equality Outcomes set out how we intend to eliminate discrimination, promote equality and foster good relations as required by the Public Sector Equality Duty (Equality Act 2010).

Through our Equality Outcomes we will ensure that

• Our funding support more accurately reflects the diversity of contemporary Scotland
• Opportunities to engage with, and participate in, arts, screen and creative industries, throughout the country are more inclusive and accessible to everyone
• Employment patterns in the arts, screen and creative industries better represent the diversity of Scotland, and that
• Our staff have a genuine understanding of, and commitment to, equalities.

To support delivery of these outcomes, Creative Scotland requires any company or organisation which is looking to receive funding from us to have an Equalities / Diversity policy / Equal Opportunities policy.  Organisations should comply with the Equality Act 2010, and a policy demonstrates due consideration of these obligations.

We understand that our funded organisations range in scale from artists’ groups, to large organisations with many employees. Your Equalities / Diversity / Equal Opportunities policy should indicate your commitment to treating people fairly whether they are employees, volunteers or audience members.  The policy should be appropriate to the scale and reach of your company.

Individuals who are applying for funding are not required to provide an Equalities / Diversity / Equal Opportunities policy if they are working alone. 

Applications from an individual who is requesting funding for a project which will entail the recruitment of staff or participants are required to provide an Equalities / Diversity / Equal Opportunities policy.

An Equalities / Diversity / Equal Opportunities policy should at least outline how your company or project will manage:

• Recruitment, commissioning or selection procedures
• Conditions of employment e.g. flexible arrangements, grievance procedures, monitoring
• Governance and responsibilities
• Consideration of artistic programme and audiences

More information about the Equality Act and guidance for employers, service users etc can be found on the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

Implications for organisations outside the UK

All international applicants looking for funding from Creative Scotland will need to demonstrate their commitment to Equalities, Diversity and Equal Opportunities.

If applicable, they should supply their Equalities / Diversity / Equal Opportunities policy as requested.

If the applicant comes from an EU country, their country will have legislation similar to the UK’s Equality Act.  This is outlined in the following EU Directive 2000/78/EC.  Based on this Directive, all EU applicants should be able to provide us with their policy, translated into English.

If the applicant comes from a Non- EU country, and does not have an Equalities / Diversity / Equal Opportunities policy in place, they should use the information on the EHRC and EU websites (referenced above) in order to develop the type of policy we are looking for.