Celebrations planned to build momentum and excitement in the run up to and during the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games are to benefit from a £4million investment, it was announced today.

The Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme Open Fund aims to develop a vibrant creative programme in Glasgow and across Scotland to complement the largest multi-sport event the country has ever seen.

This Fund is a major component in the development of the Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme, which will be a nationwide celebration. It aims to enhance the Games experience for spectators and visitors, and create a platform to showcase the best of Glasgow and Scotland’s culture alongside that of the Commonwealth.  

Individual artists, community-led groups and arts organisations are invited to apply for awards that could range from £20,000 up to £300,000 through the scheme, which is the result of a partnership between Glasgow 2014, Creative Scotland and Glasgow Life.

Projects can be new and one-off events or enhancements of an existing festival or programme of work. They can feature in either or both the Scotland-wide programme Culture 2014 – which will focus on the countdown to the Games and the transition to other major events taking place after the Games, such as the Ryder Cup and the Edinburgh Festivals – and Festival 2014, which will transform Glasgow during Games-time.

Successful proposals will demonstrate a compelling connection to the Games, link to the journey of the Queen’s Baton Relay across Scotland or to other significant Games milestones, such as ‘One Year To Go’.

The bulk of cultural activity will take place between June and the end of August 2014, though it is anticipated that preliminary activity will take place in 2013 and early 2014. The deadline for applications is 22 February 2013.

David Grevemberg, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014, said:

“We want passion and drama off the field of play - an exciting, ambitious and accessible programme of cultural events - to become a defining feature of how we host the XX Commonwealth Games.

“Scotland’s largest ever sporting and cultural event will be the perfect stage to showcase the creativity of the nation as we take Scotland to the Commonwealth and celebrate Commonwealth cultures on home soil.”

Humza Yousaf, External Affairs Minister, said:

“The ambitious Cultural Programme for Glasgow 2014 is proof that there’s more to these Commonwealth Games than sport – it’s a phenomenal opportunity to promote Scotland’s modern and vibrant culture at home and on the world stage and to celebrate our place in the Commonwealth.

“As a national showcase of exceptional new work, it will offer innovative ways for audiences in Glasgow and across Scotland to see, experience and participate in our diverse cultures. This will help to strengthen, support and sustain our cultural sector by providing opportunities for artists and creative practitioners.”

Iain Munro, Director of Creative Development, Creative Scotland said:

“Glasgow 2014 provides a unique opportunity for Scotland to reimagine its relationship with the Commonwealth.  The eyes of the world will watch as Scotland celebrates the gathering of many nations and people, and the very best of arts and culture.

“Building on the energy and excitement generated by the London 2012 Festival and Cultural Olympiad, the Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme will provide opportunities for the whole nation to take part. Today’s announcement is the first step in creating a vibrant programme of world-class culture in celebration of Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games – creating a lasting legacy and unforgettable experiences for all.”

Dr Bridget McConnell, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life and Director of Ceremonies, Culture and the Queen’s Baton Relay at Glasgow 2014, said:

“Glasgow has the skills, knowledge and expertise to produce a world-class cultural programme that will showcase the best of our creative talents to the city, nation and Commonwealth. We want Scotland’s artists and creative community to be at the heart of the cultural programme and look forward to working with them on what promises to be one of the biggest expressions of our artistic excellence in a generation.”

Councillor Archie Graham, Executive Member for the Commonwealth Games, said:

“The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games are about so much more than watching eleven days of the finest sporting achievement – they will also provide us with the chance to showcase our fantastic cultural life, which is equally world-class. This fund will allow creative individuals and organisations to contribute to a programme of memorable events and performances in 2014.”

Interested parties are advised to read the following documents before making an application:

• Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme Open Fund Guidelines
• Culture 2014 Application Form
• Glasgow 2014 Vision for Culture document
• Glasgow 2014 Factsheet

In addition, a series of information sessions are planned across Scotland during January where individuals, groups and organisations can find out more about the opportunities on offer and receive advice on the application process.

*Please note only those who have booked via Eventbrite will be admitted to the sessions.*

General enquiries about the application process or Programme Guidelines can be sent to enquiries@creativescotland.com.

Notes to Editors

• The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving 71 teams of athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years. Glasgow 2014 will be the 20th Commonwealth Games and will be held from 23 July to 3 August. It will feature 17 sports in 11 days of competition with 261 medal events on show. The Games will play host to 4500 athletes and sell 1,000,000 tickets with the event aided by an army of up to 15,000 local volunteers. Glasgow 2014 Ltd is the official name for the Organising Committee tasked with delivering the Games in partnership with the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and Commonwealth Games Scotland.
• The Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme will present both a nation-wide programme of activity – Culture 2014 - and a Glasgow-based, Games-time celebration - Festival 2014.   
• Culture 2014 is Scotland-wide, beginning at ‘One Year to Go’ in July 2013 and building momentum over a series of key dates and milestones. The bulk of activity will take place from June 2014 on the day the Queen’s Baton Relay returns to Scotland and continuing until the end of August, Culture 2014 will frame the Commonwealth Games and Festival 2014 with a series of exemplary events and projects leading up to, and beyond, the Games which will enhance Scotland’s existing cultural events and festivals calendar. The cultural programme will reach a peak in Glasgow during Games time with Festival 2014. 
• Festival 2014 (19 July – 3 August) will animate Glasgow immediately before and during Games time. The city will become the stage with activity that complements the sporting programme, enhancing the spectator and visitor experience and creating a sense of buzz and excitement in the city while the world is watching.
• There are two levels of awards: Level 1 is for small to medium sized projects developed and led by organisations and/ or artists. It will support projects that animate Scotland in the build-up to, during and after Games time. A total of £1million is available through Level 1. Investment is likely to be in the range of £20,000 - £100,000 per project. Level 2 is for large scale artist-led projects.  It will support ideas that produce imaginative and high quality projects that take place in a range of sites and settings across Scotland and open up new experiences of culture for audiences. A total of £3million is available through Level 2. Investment is likely to be in the range of £100,000 - £300,000 per project. 
• The Open Fund represents one part of Glasgow 2014’s ‘Vision for Culture’.  For the Games, a unique approach to culture has been adopted that brings together Ceremonies, Culture and the Queen’s Baton Relay. This approach aims to enable synergies to develop in terms of content and delivery between the spectacular, large scale events that are the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the international reach of the Queen’s Baton Relay, and the Cultural Programme. As an integral part of an unforgettable Commonwealth Games experience, the ambition is to stage and support a truly spectacular and surprising programme of cultural events that will bring the Commonwealth to Scotland and take Scotland to the Commonwealth. Further funding will be available for major direct commissions and grant-supported events that will showcase Glasgow and Scotland’s best, most innovative artists and companies, as well as grassroots initiatives all coming together to deliver a programme that will inspire the people of Scotland and the Commonwealth.
• More detailed information on the Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme Open Fund.
• Glasgow 2014 family of official sponsors is Longines, SSE, Emirates, Harper Macleod, Search Consultancy, Ernst & Young, Atos, Dell, Toshiba TEC, A.G. Barr and RGS.
• The Queen’s Baton Relay has been a curtain raiser to the Commonwealth Games since the Cardiff Games in 1958. The Baton will visit all 71 Commonwealth Nations and Territories culminating with Scotland in the lead-up to the Games. Specific detail of the international sector route will be unveiled in Spring 2013.

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