DG Unlimited is extremely concerned by the recent news of Creative Scotland’s closure of
the Open Fund for Individuals.
CREATIVE SCOTLAND OPEN FUND CLOSURE DETAILS
All currently submitted applications to the Open Fund for Individuals will be
processed.
The Open Fund for Individuals will close to new applications from 2pm on
Friday 30th August 2024.
The Creative Scotland National Lottery Open Fund for Organisations remains open.
Artists, creators, performers, creative practitioners and professionals are the life blood of our cultural and creative industries. Scotland is a nation which prides itself in its creative and
cultural excellence, which draws billions in tourism revenue, thanks in a large part to the
contributions from the creative sector. There is little doubt this decision will have far reaching and detrimental impacts upon the creative community, businesses and families in our region and beyond. In an industry where inequality already exists, this action will make it harder to create fair and inclusive access and pursue a creative career path.
Creative Scotland’s Open Fund for Individuals has become an essential resource for
creative practitioners to develop their practice, create new work, launch the careers of
emerging artists, and nurture ongoing excellence and creativity in Scotland. Without this
fund, we anticipate the production of innovative and exciting art, and cultural experiences will quickly and drastically diminish right across Scotland at an alarming rate.
We, all of us, cannot allow our creative sector in Scotland to be damaged in this way, and to
stagnate. DG Unlimited would like to hear from the artists and creative practitioners in
Dumfries and Galloway, or who have links to our region. We ask you to help us respond to
this on your behalf with one voice.
Please tell us how the loss of this fund is affecting you. If you have been a recipient, how has
the fund helped you in the past? Alongside our sister Creative Networks and partners
around Scotland, DG Unlimited will anonymise your statements and share them with representatives of the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland.
Please get in touch with us, strictly confidentially, with your concerns and how it will impact
your creative practice. Please send your messages, with subject heading ‘Open Fund
Closure’, to us HERE by Friday 6th September 2024.
Once we have collated your feedback, we will publish it on our website, release it to the
press, and send it to the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland on your behalf.
If you need support, please get in touch with us. We are here to help you and signpost you
to services which may be of assistance.
Yours in solidarity,
DG Unlimited Director, Team, and Board of Trustees