Creative Scotland Closes Open Fund for Individuals

Creative Scotland has announced the closure of its Open Fund for Individuals to new applications, effective August 30, 2024, due to uncertainty surrounding a £6.6 million grant-in-aid budget from the Scottish Government for the financial year 2024-25. CEO Iain Munro described the decision as 'unavoidable', citing critical problems for the cultural sector stemming from the lack of budget confirmation. The fund was intended to support artists, writers, and producers in Scotland, with plans to use £3 million from the government and £3 million from National Lottery income. Despite the closure, existing applications will still be processed, and the National Lottery Open Fund for Organisations remains available. Munro emphasized the urgent need for longer-term budget certainty, especially in light of a promised additional £100 million for the arts sector, details of which are still pending. This funding uncertainty follows a history of budget cuts and reinstatements, significantly impacting the support available to Scotland's creative community.