Refreshed approach to Open Project Funding

Published: 20 Nov 2015

In response to requests from those working across the arts, screen and creative industries, last year we launched a new, much simplified approach to funding.

This consists of three key funding routes: Regular Funding for organisations (up to three years); Open Project Funding for individuals and organisations (up to two years); and Targeted Funding for specific sectors and initiatives, including Film production and the Youth Music Initiative.

Following on from the launch of Regular Funding in April 2014, we launched Open Project Funding in October 2014, enabling individual artists and organisations to apply for between £1,000 and £100,000 (£150,000 by exception) to support their projects or programmes of work.

As at mid-October 2015, the Open Project Fund had delivered almost 500 separate awards to organisations and individuals, totalling nearly £10 million.

As promised when we launched Open Project Funding last year we have listened to feedback from applicants and from our staff and have reviewed the programme. As a result, we have made the following changes:

• We have improved the guidance and application form to make it easier for applicants to provide the information we need to know about their particular project.
• We have given greater clarity on what activity can be supported through the fund, and produced a series of information sheets which provide additional advice on key subjects identified in the review as being helpful to applicants.
• There will now be the opportunity to have two live applications at any one time. This is in response to the feedback that only being able to make one application at any one time was inhibiting forward planning.  In making this change, applicants will need to be mindful that it will increase competition for an already competitive fund, and we will be urging people to think carefully about their priorities.

• We have reduced the number of questions on the application form to seven for those applying for amounts under £15,000. For those seeking small amounts of professional or artistic development support, the application is even simpler.
• We will continue to improve the feedback we provide to unsuccessful applicants both in writing and in person, with named contacts for each applicant giving appropriate and helpful feedback, in writing and in person.
• We have clarified the guidance for Regularly Funded Organisations regarding the ‘exceptional circumstances’ in which they can apply for Open Project Funding.

We will continue to review and make further improvements to the Open Project Funding programme. For example, things we are currently working on include making the application process even simpler for those applying for less than £5,000; exploring how we can best include external expertise and input in decision making, whilst keeping the process manageable; and continuing to work towards an online application process.

We also continue to publish all our awards each month and also produce a more detailed bi-monthly summary of Open Project Funding Awards which we promote through our own communications channels and the media.

Through our website, we will continue to publish case studies and profiles of work across the arts, screen and creative industries across Scotland to help raise awareness and appreciation of the creative excellence that Scotland’s artists, creative people and cultural organisations produce.

View the new guidance and application forms for Open Project Funding.

More information and support can be found by contacting our Enquiries service.