Scotland's arts and business sectors join forces to overcome the impact of Covid-19
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A new fund bringing together the creativity of Scotland's cultural sector and the practical support of the business and public sectors has been launched to help the arts recover from the impact of Covid-19.
The Culture & Business Fund Scotland Covid-19 Recovery & Renewal Strand is an extension of the Culture & Business Fund Scotland (CBFS), and will be accessible to more culture organisations and businesses than ever before,
It aims to encourage long lasting relationships between organisations in the commercial, public and culture sectors, creating partnerships which offer than just financial support. It will also have fewer eligibility regulations than the existing CBFS, meaning that more businesses, public bodies and culture organisations can apply than ever before.
The Covid-19 Recovery & Renewal Strand offers up to three years of 100 per cent pound for pound match funding of between £1000 and £40,000 and is open to all applicants, including those who have previously received CBFS funding.
David Watt, chief executive of Arts & Business Scotland, said: “There can be a perception that funding initiatives pairing the commercial and culture sectors is a white knight situation, where the arts, heritage or creative organisation is rescued by a business through solely financial support. With the Culture & Business Fund Scotland Covid Recovery & Renewal Strand this isn’t, doesn’t have to be and shouldn’t be the case.
"Particularly now, after over a year of extreme uncertainty and varying degrees of isolation, businesses are looking at to how best to support staff and ensure the wellness of their workforce, and culture organisations can hold the key and provide diverse solutions.
“Informed by extensive stakeholder engagement and reflecting the impact of the pandemic on every aspect of life, the changes to the Cultural Business Fund Scotland mean more organisations and businesses are eligible than ever before and we hope to inspire the cultural and commercial sectors in Scotland to work together in building the road to covid recovery.”
Helena Ward, creative industries manager at Creative Scotland, said: “This year’s strand of the fund is a fantastic opportunity for more businesses, public sector bodies and culture organisations than ever before, to support each other in a way that impacts their success and the wellbeing of their staff.
“It has been an incredibly tough year for everyone, but now is the time for our businesses, culture sector and places of work, to collaborate on, and invest in, creativity.”
A&BS will be running a series of free online workshops to help potential applicants and beneficiaries understand how to make an application to the fund. Those looking to receive information on these and other A&BS events, should contact: events@aandbscotland.org.uk or visit A&BS website to see all upcoming events and opportunities here
