19 projects based in Glasgow have received funding in the latest round of Open Fund awards from Creative Scotland.
They are among 58 projects across Scotland which are sharing over £1.6 million of National Lottery and Scottish Government funding.
These funds are supporting creative people, projects and organisations across Scotland to adapt and respond to the current changing circumstances brought about by Covud-19 and helping to sustain creative development at this challenging time.
Among the work by Glasgow based organisations and artists is the Bijli New Writers Project, an initiative from Glasgow-based Bijli Productions to support underrepresented, marginalised and diverse communities in Scotland. The project will work with people who are at the very early stages of their writing journey and provide them with a series of high-quality online writing tutorials, peer support and network outreach, and mentoring by experienced professional writers from diverse backgrounds.
“We need more storytellers that reflect the diversity of Scotland and the world we live in. By creating a highly accessible writing course and program of support, we hope to break down barriers and increase the breadth of voices in the arts in Scotland,’ said Artistic Director of Bijli, Mariem Omari.
During the lockdown, Karen Gordon, a photographer and artist with underlying health conditions, has connected with the people and landscapes most local to her, in the Commonwealth Village in Dalmarnock in Glasgow’s East End. Karen will continue to develop her practice and produce a series of still images that capture key themes underpinning the experience of lockdown in the area, and reflecting on what it has meant to be part of this local community as it has developed.
Karen Gordon said: “I am thrilled to have received support from Creative Scotland for this exciting and ambitious project in my neighbourhood, a neighbourhood that like all neighbourhoods worldwide, became super important during that first lockdown. I want to thank everyone who championed me and supported my application, wonderful people I have had the privilege to work with over the years and who have helped so much in my creative journey. I am especially looking forward to having the luxury of collaborating with two other outstanding creatives, Rachel Mimiec and Lachlan Young and the wealth of experience they will bring to the project, and I am also grateful to support from my amazing neighbour Rosemary James- Beith.”
Iain Munro, CEO, Creative Scotland said: “As we face ongoing challenges resulting from Covid-19, the Open Fund supports Scotland’s arts and creative community to continue to innovate and engage with people across the country. These awards also help enable individual artists, creative practitioners and organisations to develop and present new work, and sustain creative development.
“Thanks to the generosity of National Lottery players, who raise £30 million for good causes across the UK every week, and funding from the Scottish Government, these awards are helping to sustain the great value that creativity brings to our lives.”
A full list of recipients of Open Fund awards is available on the Creative Scotland website.
The fund has no deadlines, and full eligibility criteria and application guidance can be found on the Creative Scotland website.
Image credit: Photograph © Karen Gordon
