Published: 19 Jul 2016
An update on plans for the next round of Regular Funding 2018 - 2021.
We are currently still aiming to open the next round of our Regular Funding Programme for applications in Autumn 2016, with a submission deadline in late Spring 2017 and funding decisions in Autumn 2017. The reason behind this planned timeline is to allow as much time for the preparation and submission of applications as possible, for assessment by our specialist officers and for organisations to adapt, post decision. This is in response to key points of feedback received from the last process.
Clearly, since the previous update, there have been significant changes to the political context. The result of the recent EU Referendum takes us into uncharted territory, both for Scotland and the UK as a whole.
We are in close contact with the Scottish Government in order to understand the implications for Creative Scotland and the arts, screen and creative industries more broadly. This may mean that we need to be flexible in terms of the timing of when we open for applications for the next round of Regular Funding.
It is important to note that the Scottish Government has at present only set its budget for 2016-17. The budget for 2017-18, the final year of our current RFO Portfolio, will be set later this year.
As soon as we have received confirmation from the Scottish Government on how future budget announcements will be made, we will be able to offer clarity on the impact to both the final year of the current RFO portfolio (2017-18), and separately how we will manage the application process for funding beyond 2018. We will provide further updates as soon as information emerges.
As mentioned in previous communications, pressure on Scottish Government budgets is expected to continue in the coming years. We can expect this to impact on the amount of funding we have available for Regular Funding in future and consequently the number of organisations we are able to support through this funding route.
As you would expect in a changing context, we are currently reviewing the criteria and guidelines for applications for Regular Funding. Our focus for the next portfolio of Regularly Funded Organisations will continue to be on supporting a broad range of high quality work that reaches people and communities across Scotland. We intend to involve Local Authorities and other stakeholders, as appropriate, in considering our final funding decisions.
Criteria will be set within the ambitions in our 10-year plan, our refreshed priorities for 2017-21 to be published this Autumn, and in our arts, screen and creative industries strategies, the final one of which, the Arts Strategy, will be published shortly this Summer.
Robust governance and leadership to achieve collective problem solving during these unprecedented times will be essential. New models will undoubtedly have to be considered to protect Scotland’s artistic lifeblood and ensure that future creative ambition can to be realised.
Collaborative working with other organisations and with communities will be strongly encouraged and taking a long term view will be important. We will therefore once more be asking organisations as part of their applications to submit three-year business plans for 2018-21 containing full detail for year 1 and at least an outline of activity for years 2 and 3.
As before, all criteria, application forms and guidance regarding the next round of Regular Funding will be published before the programme opens for application and we intend to hold a series of information sessions around the country at that time.
Recent significant changes to the broader political context mean that we can’t provide more information at this point but we are committed to communicating any future developments or changes in an open and timely manner and we will provide another update as soon as we have more clarity.
In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.
Iain Munro
Deputy Chief Executive
