Published: 22 Dec 2015
90 individual artists and organisations across Scotland have been awarded over £1.7 million of Creative Scotland Open Project Funding awards. Spanning the arts, screen and creative industries, the awards have been made during the period August and September 2015 and range from between £1,500 and £100,000.
A series of children’s books about the Kelpies and the translation of The Gruffalo into Scots dialects - Dundonian, Orcadian, Shetlandic and Doric - are amongst awards made towards literature and publishing. Scotland’s only festival of silent cinema – Hippodrome– will devise a touring and outreach programme; Claire Cunningham, Janis Claxton, Errol White Company and Dance Ihayami have been supported to develop a variety of dance projects; and Puppet State Theatre Company has received funding towards the staging and touring of a storytelling performance of JRR Tolkien’s short story, Leaf by Niggle, with new music composed by Karine Polwart.
Ilana Halperin: Geologic Intimacy (Yu no Hana) Curator, Naoko Mabon commented: “I’m thrilled to establish this new international project together with artist Ilana Halperin. Being a Kyushu-born Japanese living in Aberdeen, which enjoys a historical relationship with Kyushu, I’m looking forward to introducing Halperin's works to both locations for the first time, the project also aims to open up a broader discussion into visual art and science and help to enhance the vibrant exchange between two far-apart locations.”
Alison Strauss, Director of Hippodrome said: “The programme is under wraps just now but we are working with a wider range of musicians, new musical styles, and with more far flung archives than ever before to pack the five days of the Festival with exhilarating live cinema events.
“It’s a joy to animate this stunning venue with unique, world-class events, celebrating the heritage of the Hippodrome itself and bringing the red-carpet-glamour and excitement back to a trip to ‘the Pictures’. But just as important to us is reaching out, beyond the walls of the cinema, to communities, youth groups and other venues so we’re devising a touring and outreach programme that will bring HippFest to audiences far and wide. We can’t wait to reveal all the delights the programme has in store.”
On receiving funding Richard Medrington from Puppet State Theatre Company, said: “We are delighted that Creative Scotland are supporting our adaptation of JRR Tolkien’s Leaf by Niggle. With this rare opportunity to adapt one of Tolkien’s least-known stories for the stage, we are excited to be exploring new collaborations and reaching a slightly older audience, after the success of The Man Who Planted Trees, which has been touring for 10 years since its initial investment.”
Janet Archer, CEO, Creative Scotland, said: Janet Archer, CEO, Creative Scotland, said: “Open Project Funding supports people to develop and deliver arts and creative projects, widen access to their work, and enrich Scotland’s reputation as a distinctive creative nation.
“A year after opening, the Fund has made over 500 separate awards to artists, creative practitioners and organisations across Scotland, totalling nearly £10 million.
“When we launched Open Project Funding last year we reviewed the programme after its first 6 months. Having listened to feedback, a number of changes have been made and we have improved the guidance and application form to make it easier for applicants.
“We will make further improvements to the Open Project Funding funding route in the coming year. For example, things we are currently working on include making the application process even simpler for those applying for less than £5,000; continuing to strengthen the way we use expertise to make decisions, while keeping the process manageable; and working towards an online application process.”
Over £1.6 million of these awards have been allocated from National Lottery funds. Alongside funding from the Scottish Government, The National Lottery forms a vital part of funding support for the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland.
View a full list of the awards.
Image: How You Gonna Live Your Dash by Jenna Watt featuring Ashely Smith and Jenna Watt (Mihaela Bodlovic)
Open Project Funding is available to a wide range of organisations and individuals working across Scotland in the arts, screen and creative industries. It supports a broad spectrum of activity including creative and professional development, research and development, production, small capital requirements, touring and collaborations, festivals, arts programming, audience development, etc. A full list of activities supported through this route is set out in the Open Project Funding application guidance. Support is available for projects of different scale and duration with the maximum period of award being set at 2 years. Awards are made in the range £1,000 to £100,000 (or up to £150,000 by exception).
Details of the Open Project Fund and all other Creative Scotland funding can be found on our website at https://www.creativescotland.com/funding/funding-programmes/open-project-funding
*Please note the funding awards listed remain offers until such time as all terms and conditions have been formally accepted and fulfilled by the Awardees. In the event of failure to accept any offer the value of the Award will be withdrawn and credited to future Open Project Funding Panels.
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here. We enable people and organisations to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life. We distribute funding provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery. For further information about Creative Scotland please visit www.creativescotland.com. Follow us @creativescots and www.facebook.com/CreativeScotland
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