Hardship Funding Update October 2020

NEW HARDSHIP FUNDING ANNOUNCED 

Yesterday members of SAU Executive and Staff attended the SCAN (Scottish Contemporary Art Network) Members Forum Event that was hosted in order to give information about the roll out of the new Hardship Funding for Creative Freelancers.

Here is some important information about the Funding:   This Funding will be distributed by :

and by Creative Scotland. It will be in the form of a one off payment in amounts between £500 and £2000. Eligibility requirements will be an ability to prove that you are a creative freelancer, being resident in Scotland, being in immediate financial difficulty due to the pandemic, and not being eligible for other forms of support.

The first stage will be an online portal through Creative Scotland which will go live on Monday 26th October (12noon) where applicants will receive a Unique Reference Number and then depending on art form will be diverted to the appropriate organisation where the application can be made.  Similar to the Bridging Bursary this funding will be available until it runs out.

We advise our members to apply early!

There is more information and guidelines about how to apply here. 

What Is The Fund For?

To support creative freelancers working in Scotland who are experiencing immediate financial hardship due to the loss of income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funds offer a one-off monetary contribution to those who are most deeply impacted and disadvantaged by the cancellation of work as a result of the emergency situation.

Whilst there are no deadlines for this programme, the nature of this fund is that it will only remain open whilst budget remains available. We realise however that not everyone will be able to respond to this opportunity immediately, and therefore we and our partners will hold back a proportion of the budget so that we can support requests that take a little more time to reach us. But we do suggest you apply as soon as possible.

Who Can Apply?

These funds are to support freelance creative professionals working in the arts and creative sector in Scotland who are experiencing immediate financial difficulty due to the loss of income as a result of COVID-19.

These roles include those whose work has direct creative outcomes as well as those in supporting roles whose work directly supports the making and presentation of creative work.

All applicants must be based in Scotland and must be able to demonstrate they were working and making income as a freelance creative professional before lockdown began (in March 2020).

The Hardship Fund for Creative Freelancers is open to:

• Freelance professionals whose work has direct creative outcomes. This can include (but is not limited to) a visual artist, a writer or maker of poetry, prose or fiction, a playwright, actor or theatre- maker, a comedian, dancer, musician, craft maker or designer. You will derive a significant proportion of your income from your role in creating or producing original artistic, creative or design material.
• Freelance professionals whose work directly supports the making and presentation of creative work including events. This can include (but is not limited to) a theatre producer, a lighting designer, a gig promoter, an independent curator or creative producer. You will derive a significant proportion of your income from your role in supporting or producing original artistic, creative or design material and events."

Support your union  

There’s never been a more important time to be part of a union, help us fight for a new ‘normal’ that supports the arts and culture!! If you want to help SAU further please encourage fellow artists to join up, or get involved with the Executive Committee by attending our meetings (all currently online!). Email us and we will send you the link. 

Please help us promote the activities of the union on social media by following us and sharing posts.

We are here to help. We are a small team of part time workers and a voluntary executive, currently email is the best way to get in touch. 

Stay safe & healthy everyone.  

Yours in Solidarity, 
 
Everyone at Scottish Artists Union