The Music team at Creative Scotland has three main areas of work.
- Project Funding Support
We give advice on applying for the Open Fund, both for individuals and organisations, assess applications, give feedback on unsuccessful applications, monitor funded projects, and review end of project reports. We also work with wider Creative Scotland teams to help assess music education, Creative Industries and equalities funds. - Regular Funding
We monitor Regularly Funded Organisations and work with them on development areas such as their Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion plans. - Targeted Funding
We work with a wide group of partner organisations to deliver funds and projects with specific development goals in the music sector. We aim to create new opportunities and positive changes like stronger international links and increased representation of minority groups.
Who is in the Music team?
Head of Music Alan Morrison leads a team of four Music Officers. The music team works across genres and each officer also has specific areas of interest and expertise.
- Alan Morrison – Head of Music
- Siobhan Anderson – trad and folk, creative learning
- Emma Campbell – Western classical, new music, trad and folk, community music
- Clare Hewitt – Western classical, new music, jazz
- Jamie Houston – rock and pop, hip hop
Which organisations does the Music team work with?
Some of the organisations working with us on targeted funds and projects include:
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Our colleagues in Creative Scotland’s Place, Partnerships and Communities department also work on targeted activities with:
- A traditional arts advisory group
- The BIT Collective plus additional research into safeguarding
- Fèisean nan Gàidheal
Funds
Our main source of funding for music projects is Open Funding:
- Open Fund for Individuals - this fund can support individual artists, bands and ensembles and other professionals with a wide range of projects. This includes writing and developing new work, recording and releasing music, touring, collaborating with other artists, testing new ways of reaching audiences and developing new partnerships.
- National Lottery Open Fund for Organisations - this fund can support organisations such as festivals, venues and charities to help them sustain their work in changing circumstances and develop new opportunities.
- National Lottery Extended Programme Fund - a new time-limited funding opportunity for arts and cultural organisations launched in February 2023. The fund aims to create the opportunity for non-profit organisations to get longer term support than is currently available through the National Lottery Open Fund for Organisations.
We also run targeted funds for projects or activities which have more specific criteria, or devolve funds to be delivered by partners.
- Youth Music Initiative Funding
- Tasgadh - Small Grants for Traditional Arts - Fèisean nan Gàidheal
- Four Nations International Fund
- International Showcase Fund - PRS for Music Foundation
- Beyond Borders - PRS for Music Foundation
- Made in Scotland Showcase
- Specific bursary funds for events including jazzahead! and Classical:NEXT may be available at set points in the year
Key resources
- We publish a regularly updated playlist of tracks the Creative Scotland music team is listening to - hear more on Spotify
- Off The Record have a great selection of How To guides providing step-by-step advice on key topics including press and media, live streaming and starting your own music company
- The Scottish Music Industry Association has a great bank of resources including workshops, panels and insights into working in music
- Resources for Chamber Musicians - Chamber Music Scotland
- Help Musicians support and opportunities
- Music Career Workshops, Training & Online Events from the Musicians Union
- New Music Scotland network, awards and professional development
- Scottish Music Centre archive, membership and infrastructure support
Get in touch
We’re very happy to talk to you about projects that might be eligible for our support.
If you’ve never applied before, get in touch to talk about your ideas and ask any questions. We might be able to give examples that make the criteria clearer or tell you more about how our funds work.
You can get in touch with the music team via [email protected]. Explore the team member list to find out who’s who.