A £100,000 fund to support the development of work by Edinburgh’s diverse communities of artists, practitioners and producers in the Capital’s culture sector is open for applications.
The City of Edinburgh Council’s Diversity & Inclusion Fund will focus on projects that promote greater creative collaboration between black, Asian and minority ethnic artists, practitioners and producers.
Grants of up to £10,000 will be awarded to organisations and/or individuals based in the Capital to help with the costs involved in developing new performing artwork (music, dance, spoken word and theatre), film making and screenings, digital art, cultural events and creative writing.
A second year for this fund builds on last year’s success in supporting excellent projects led by ethnically diverse artists and creatives. These included: painter Nihad Al Turk’s Artist Residency at Craigmillar Now, Tony Mills’ new dance choreography developed as part of partnership with Magnetic North, youth music programme managed by Intercultural Youth Scotland, the filming of a live performance of ‘Shona the Musical Choir’ and Catherine Bisset’s new play ‘Placeholder’ exploring the stories of the voiceless and the nameless explored by Fronteiras Theatre Lab in association with the Colonial-Era Caribbean Theatre and Opera Network.
Councillor Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities Convener for City of Edinburgh Council, said:
“Edinburgh has a long and strong reputation for creativity and excellence in the arts and it’s important we continue to identify new and collaborative ways of resourcing the sector. Last year’s round of funding was extremely successful and helped support emerging and established talent across Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic artists and Edinburgh-based cultural organisations.”
Councillor Amy McNeese Mechan, Culture and Communities Vice Convener for City of Edinburgh Council, said:
“We’re committed to widening and deepening engagement with artists and communities across the city including this programme supporting the development of work led by our Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic creatives. Promoting stronger collaboration , developing new partnerships and creating funding streams helps nurture our city’s exceptional talent.”
A panel of industry specialists will review applications for the Diversity & Inclusion Fund grant awards in early 2022.
Diversity & Inclusion Fund
Who can apply?
Projects involving Edinburgh-based artists and practitioners and taking place within the City of Edinburgh boundary. Grants will be awarded to projects that promote greater collaboration between minority ethnic artists/practitioners, and Edinburgh-based cultural organisations. Projects should reach, involve, benefit and engage BAME artists and/or cultural organisations and creative practitioners.
Projects and activities could include: visual and performing arts (music, dance, spoken word and theatre), film making and screenings, digital art, cultural events and creative writing.
A total Fund budget of £100,000 is available for projects developed in the financial year 2021/22 and completed by the end of December 2022 with the deadline for submissions 20 December 2021 (23:59 GMT).
An online application form and further information about the fund can be found via our consultation hub.
