New Creative Funding launched for organisations and individual artists
02 March 2017
Today (Thursday 2 March) sees the launch of Creative Funding Awards from Aberdeen City Council. Creative Funding gives cultural organisations, community groups, charities and individual artists the opportunity to apply for awards of up to £15,000 to deliver creative activity in the city.
Previous years have seen awards for festivals, community groups, brand new arts organisations and support for projects run by individual artists and established organisations. A range of projects can be considered such as performances, exhibitions, networking events or even something completely new and innovative; there are few limitations on the type of project that can be supported. In 2016 alone, Aberdeen City Council Creative Funding supported 56 different projects across the city involving over 1000 volunteers, 10,000 participants and 500,000 audience members.
Councillor Marie Boulton, Deputy Leader of Aberdeen City Council, said:
“Culture and creativity is increasingly playing a more prominent role in the life of Aberdeen. Not only in terms of the economic impacts that come from being an attractive and lively cultural visitor destination but also in respect to the long-term benefits it has on our citizen’s wellbeing and sense of pride in their city.
I hope this funding will be just as popular as in previous years, helping artists and organisations to produce yet more high quality projects and work that showcase the talents of the North-East arts community.”
Susan Whyte, from Other Music Promotions who received funding in 2016 said:
“Creative Funding has helped Other Music Promotions to establish a programme of high quality live contemporary folk music in Aberdeen and providing a platform for a group of young up and coming musicians from Aberdeen City Music School, The Rowies, who have had the opportunity to play support slots at some of our concerts. Our audiences have been enthusiastic and hugely supportive and we are now looking to develop our programme further in 2017/18.”
The first round of funding will open today with a deadline of 23 April. Applicants will be notified of the outcome on 2 June. A second application window will open on 2 June with a deadline of 30 July. Organisations, charities and community groups can apply for up to £15,000 while individuals are able to apply for up to £2,000 for the delivery of activity, projects or artistic development.
Application forms and guidelines for Creative Funding will be available on the Aberdeen City Council website from 9am today:
http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/creativefunding
Applicants can also call 01224 522341 to arrange for a pack to be sent out or email creativefunding@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Aberdeen City Council will also be hosting a Creative Funding Information Session at Seventeen on Belmont Street on 15 March between 6pm – 7.30pm. This session is intended to explain the process to first time applicants and is open to individuals and well as group representatives. More information on the sessions is available at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/creative-funding-info-session-tickets-32440218567
Photo: McGoldrick, McCusker and Doyle who are performing at the Blue Lamp on Monday 6th March as part of Other Music Promotions programme of concerts funded by Creative Funding.