Arts, culture and heritage

In line with many other initiatives, the Between Islands Project found itself in a position where this summer’s planned programme of activities had to be cancelled due to the covid virus and ensuing lockdown situation. Originated by An Lanntair in Stornoway, and funded through the LEADER 2014-2020 regional cooperation scheme, the project had been working with a range of arts and heritage organisations from throughout the Western and Northern Isles in the creation of a collaborative series of events.

A targeted £10 million fund to support Scotland’s performing arts venues has been announced by Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop.

Created as part of the Scottish Government’s £185m Business Support Fund, the Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund will help venues who cannot yet reopen to their audiences due to the ongoing impact of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The fund will be run by Creative Scotland, who will publish full details shortly.

A new group formed to deliver Scotland’s culture strategy is to meet for the first time.

The National Partnership for Culture (NPC) is made up of 14 experts from across Scotland’s culture sector. The group will advise on challenges facing the culture sector from coronavirus (COVID-19) and will build on the recommendations recently set out to the First Minister by the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery.

Along with many other events, Scotland’s first Seaweed Festival, due to take place this September 5-6^th as part of the Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 programme has been postponed due to the Coronavirus restrictions.

The Jim Clark Motorsport Museum in Duns has been awarded 5-Star status by VisitScotland, the first museum in the Scottish Borders to receive the accolade.

Following a £1.6 million partnership project the museum opened to the public on 11 July 2019 and welcomed 13,000 visitors in its first six months. 

The Scottish Government has started early engagement on the development of Scotland's fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4).

The National Planning Framework is a long term plan for development and investment across Scotland.

An upcoming Scottish Rural Action conference will kick start a 'rural movement' to make rural Scotland's voice heard.

Representatives from rural Scotland's communities, businesses and organisations are invited to attend the free event taking place from 26 to 27 February at New Lanark Visitor Centre, the renowned world heritage site.

To celebrate Scotland's Year of Coasts and Waters 2020, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has launched a new community fund.

The £150,000 Plunge In! The Coasts and Waters Community Fund offers a range of grants from small pots for schools and youth groups to awards of up to £10,000.

The fund is currently open for applications for community-led ideas that will engage and connect more people with our seas, coasts, lochs, rivers, streams and wetlands, as well as their unique wildlife.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon recently launched the Scottish Charity Awards 2020, encouraging organisations from across the country to apply. 

The annual awards are organised by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) and celebrate the fantastic work that charities and community groups do every day to help those in need and raise awareness of important causes. 

YouthLink Scotland has launched a new small grants programme to support young people to take part in Scotland's Year of Coasts and Waters 2020.

The Scottish Government-funded programme will make grants available to local groups and organisations offering informal learning opportunities for young people to explore the nature, history and culture of Scotland’s lochs, rivers, shorelines and waterways.

A total of £45,000 is available.

The closing date for applications is 1pm on Friday 14 February 2020.