Flexible Funding Announced for 2011-2013

Following the success of the flexible funding programme over the last four years, the Joint Board of Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen today (Tuesday 15 December) confirmed that the fund is now open for applications.

The programme for 2011-2013 will focus on:

• Enabling a body of creative work of high quality to be presented in Scotland
• Ensuring a good geographic spread and impact across Scotland
• Promoting the work to audiences in Scotland and beyond

The deadline for applications is 5 March 2010.

Flexible funding is available to organisations that are involved in the production or public presentation of creative work or organisations that provide specialist advice and support to the arts sector.

Jim Tough, Chief Executive Officer, Scottish Arts Council said:

‘Flexible support ensures that Scotland’s creative community will continue to develop, produce and present the exciting work for which we are renowned internationally.  We remain committed to supporting the very best of Scotland’s creative talent.’

This further round of flexible funding is a commitment to continuity within the wider arts sector, while allowing the opportunity for new ideas to come through. This programme of work will transfer to the new organisation, Creative Scotland, which is expected to be established in the first part of 2010, subject to legislative scrutiny by the Scottish Parliament.

Ewan Brown, Chair of Creative Scotland 09 Ltd (CS09) said:

‘The Board of CS09 recognises the importance of stability and continuity. We therefore fully support this phase of the flexible funding programme. The development of a new funding model for Creative Scotland will be a pressing priority and a considerable challenge for the new organisation and its’ Chief Executive. That process of development needs to take place in a stable funding environment. The reassurance offered to the arts community through flexible funding should allow Creative Scotland and its partners to focus on deciding the best long-term funding structure for Scotland and its artists.’

Since its creation, flexible funding has successfully encouraged and supported high quality work across Scotland.  A recent review of annual returns for 2008-09, provided by 44* flexibly-funded organisations confirms they collectively achieved a total audience, attendance and participation figure of 1.11 million.

The Joint Board of the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen has committed almost £16 million for the two years of 2011-2013 flexible funding.

Download the guidelines and application pack.

Notes to editors

Notes to Editors:
• *With effect from April 2009, there are currently 63 organisations in receipt of flexible funding of which 34 organisations are new to this type of funding.
• Applicants must be based in Scotland and demonstrate that they meet or surpass the requirements of our Quality Framework which are:
o quality artistic vision and leadership,
o plans for widening access,
o strength of commitment to continually improving engagement with the public,
o good practice in governance and financial management.
• Flexible funding is open to applicants who have not previously received Scottish Arts Council Funding
• The Scottish Arts Council is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) which was established by Royal Charter in 1994 and is also a Lottery distributor. The organisation serves the people of Scotland by fostering arts of excellence through investment, development, research and advocacy. Our corporate aims are: to support artists to fulfil their creative and business potential; to increase participation in the arts; and to place the arts, culture and creativity at the heart of learning. We invest £60m each year, including £15 million of National Lottery funding. For more information visit: www.scottisharts.org.uk

Contact email(s)

media.office@scottisharts.org.uk

Issued by: Scottish Arts Council