Hardship Fund for Creative Freelancers
Rebecca Raeburn
Communications, Edinburgh
City of Literature Trust
10 Nov 2020
**Currently open for applications**
Creative Scotland's Hardship Fund for Creative Freelancers aims to support freelancers working in the arts and creative sector who are experiencing immediate financial hardship due to the loss of income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The funds offer a one-off monetary contribution to those who are most deeply impacted and disadvantaged by the cancellation of work as a result of the emergency situation.
Who can apply?
These funds have been put in place to support freelance creative professionals working in the arts and creative sector in Scotland who are experiencing immediate financial difficulty due to the loss of income as a result of COVID-19.
All applicants must be based in Scotland and must be able to demonstrate they were working and making income as a freelance creative professional before lockdown began (in March 2020).
The Hardship Fund for Creative Freelancers is open to:
- Freelance professionals whose work has direct creative outcomes. This can include (but is not limited to) a visual artist, a writer or maker of poetry, prose or fiction, a playwright, actor or theatre- maker, a comedian, dancer, musician, craft maker or designer. You will derive a significant proportion of your income from your role in creating or producing original artistic, creative or design material
- Freelance professionals whose work directly supports the making and presentation of creative work including events. This can include (but is not limited to) a theatre producer, a lighting designer, a gig promoter, an independent curator or creative producer. You will derive a significant proportion of your income from your role in supporting or producing original artistic, creative or design material and events
You can access the application portal for the fund here.
What is the overall budget for these funds and how much can I apply for?
There is £8m allocated towards the programme in total. Approximately £3m has been allocated during the first round of applications to both this fund and the Screen Scotland Hardship Fund. The remaining budget will be allocated through a second round of funding.
Please note that you can only apply once to the fund.
What is the deadline for applications?
The funds do not have a published deadline but will remain open for as long as the funds are available with each of the partners. Applicants are therefore encouraged to apply as early as possible.
You can find out more about the application process on the Creative Scotland website, where they have a video walk through and a step-by-step guide to support you through the process.
**We will continue to update this page as and when the Fund opens and closes for applications**
Creative Scotland
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 the country. They 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. They distribute funding from the Scottish Government and The National Lottery.
