This fund is now open and aims to support cultural organisations which have been financially impacted by the cancellation or postponement of cultural activity that was due to take place in the period from 27 November 2021 to 31 March 2022, as a consequence of the measures introduced to manage the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

The fund will offer a one-off award to organisations which are able to provide evidence (contracts, correspondence, promotional information) of the arrangement and subsequent cancellation or postponement of activity due to COVID restrictions. This can include the cancellation or postponement of performances, productions, exhibitions and shows from which organisations would have received income.

This fund will not directly replace income lost through the cancellation or postponement of activities, but will provide a contribution to help offset any adverse financial impact.

The Scottish Government has committed up to £25 million to support the fund. Cultural organisations can request between £5,000 and £500,000. The amount you apply for must be based on your organisation’s specific financial losses related to cancellation or postponement, which you must evidence and quantify.

Applications close at 2pm on 2 February 2022. 

Funding is available for different kinds of organisations that have experienced financial losses arising from the cancellation or postponement of activities. These include:

• Performing arts venues and festivals (that is, buildings that are primarily used for cultural purposes and have paying audiences to see live events, such as theatres and music venues, including concert halls, as well as festivals that use venues to present live work to a paying audience)
• Other publicly accessible cultural venues (for example, galleries, workshops and artists’ studios)
• Other cultural businesses that provide services to other cultural organisations for activities open to the public (for example, theatre production and supply chain businesses)

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