Performers eligible for £5m hardship fund
Creative Scotland confirms eligibility
Creative Scotland has confirmed that actors, dancers and other performers will be eligible to access the Scottish government’s £5 million Hardship Fund for Creative Freelancers.
The arts body today (Thursday 15 October 2020) announced the partners who will be delivering the fund on its behalf. Eligibility criteria for the fund will be published on Thursday 22 October before the fund opens for applications at 12 noon on Monday 26 October.
Iain Munro. Pic: Neil Hanna
The fund aims to address the current financial hardship being felt by creative freelancers who normally work in the culture sector but whose work has been impacted by Covid-19.
The four confirmed partners are Crafts Council & Craft Scotland, Help Musicians, Society of Authors and Visual Arts Scotland. BECTU is expected to be confirmed to represent backstage workers.
According to Creative Scotland’s news release today: “The specific sector expertise of these partners will help ensure the hardship funds reach as many freelancers across different creative sectors as possible, working with Creative Scotland who will deliver the funds to creative freelancers who work in the sectors not covered by the partner organisations.”
rash of concern
However, there has been a rash of concern on social media today that actors and dancers might not be eligible, as none of the partners are obvious representatives to provide a pathway for performers.
However, a Creative Scotland spokesperson clarified the issue to Æ. She said: “performers will be eligible and all applicants will be routed to the appropriate partner by Creative Scotland when funds are open for application.”
Iain Munro, CEO at Creative Scotland said: “This Hardship Fund offers much needed support for creative freelancers who have been particularly hard hit by the inability to work due to necessary restrictions. Creative Scotland is working hard with our partners to ensure this support reaches those in need as quickly as possible.”
The full Creative Scotland press release is available here: Partners Confirmed for Hardship Fund.
ENDS
Great news!