Creative Scotland has announced that it will take the ‘difficult decision’ to close the Open Fund For Individuals, a funding platform that has been used by a multitude of artists across Scotland. 

Described by the organisation as ‘one of Creative Scotland's key funding programmes’,  the Open Fund For Individuals was designed to support the efforts and ambitions of artists, writers, producers and other creative practitioners in Scotland to help foster a stronger creative community across the country. The £6 million fund was designed to support creative activity for up to 24 months. Funding for successful applicants can range from £500 to £100,000.

The closure is due to the Scottish Government being unable to confirm the release of £6.6m in Grant-in-Aid budget in the current financial year. 

The decision comes only a year after the Scottish Government pledged to ‘more than double’ arts spending, after Creative Scotland warned that one in three arts organisations risk insolvency and 900 jobs would be under threat without immediate help. 

Creatives took to social media in the wake of the response to express their dismay, with many blaming the Scottish Government’s perceived lack of interest in culture, and others pointing out the irony that the announcement has taken place as the Edinburgh Festival season draws to a close. 

Filmmaker Mark Cousins wrote: 

The poet and author Kathleen Jamie wrote: 

The playwright Rachel O'Regan wrote: 

Meanwhile, the poet Iona Lee posted an open letter to the Scottish Government, writing, ‘We can’t expect to have a thriving and diverse scene, and the benefits that go along with that, if we can’t provide opportunities and financial support. You won’t get the next Outlander, Ian Rankin, or Young Fathers, if up-and-coming creatives can’t afford to live, dream and work in this country.’ Read her full post here. 

Iain Munro, CEO of Creative Scotland said, ‘The level of uncertainty regarding the provision of Grant-in-Aid budgets from the Scottish Government is creating critical problems for the ongoing support we can provide to Scotland’s culture sector. This decision to close the Open Fund for Individuals is not one we would have wanted to take but is unavoidable without the funding from the Scottish Government being available.  

'Like everyone working in Scotland’s culture and creative sector, we understand the extreme pressures on public finances but want to see longer term budget certainty from the Scottish Government, including the additional £100m announced in October 2023, details of which have yet to emerge.’

Want to contact your local MP about the decision to withhold funding from Creative Scotland? You can find out who they are and how you can get in touch with them here.