Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funding Decisions and Sector Support Signposting

Creative Scotland announced the organisations who have been successful in applying for their Multi-Year Funding programme (2025-28). 

Over £200m has been allocated to 251 organisations, with a further £3.2m for 13 development-stage organisations. 

You can read our SMIA statement on what this means for Scotland’s music sector and engage with our conversation here.

We have collated information on some of the wider support available to music organisations based in Scotland, including on funding, mental health and wellbeing, and organisational resilience. 

Please note: The SMIA has no vested interest in, and does not endorse, any resource or service here. It is the responsibility of individuals/organisations to undertake due diligence. 

Creative Scotland Funding: 

Creative Scotland Open Funds offer support to those seeking backing for one-off projects and time-limited development activity:

  1. Open Fund for Individuals – for freelance and self-employed artists and creative practitioners to support periods of research, development and/or delivery of creative activity, such as specific projects and productions for up to 24 months and requiring funding of between £500 and £50,000
  2. Open Fund for Organisations – for research & development, projects or programmes lasting up to 18 months and requiring funding of between £1,000 and £100,000. The fund can also support business change and development projects, such as those that make the organisation more financially sustainable or focus on broader organisational development

Creative Scotland also provide a series of Targeted Funds which support specific activities and development needs in an art form, specialism, or place. Examples include funds allocated by the Scottish Government for specific purposes such as the following which have all been designated for funding uplifts in 2025/26 as per Scottish Government’s draft budget statement (published 4 Dec 2024): 

  • the Youth Music Initiative (which the Scottish Government has committed a £300,000 uplift for 2025/26)
  • EXPO festival funds (to receive an extra £3m in 2025/26) 
  • the Culture Collective initiative which is allocated a further £4m in 2025/26
  • UK National Lottery funds are targeted to support the screen sector through Screen Scotland (an additional £2m for Screen Scotland’s Production Growth Fund has been earmarked for 2025/26 from Scottish Government)

Other Funding Bodies:

The SMIA has collated a list of trusts, foundations, development agencies and funders that support organisations in Scotland. Please note, that we recommend that you review all the relevant organisations funding guidance, application deadlines and eligibility criteria and the below are all competitive opportunities.

This list is as comprehensive as possible. If you are aware of an opportunity that is not listed below, please let us know via info@smia.org.uk.

If you are a member of SCVO you can also search for funding options at https://funding.scot/ 

  • BBC Children in Need – Supports projects working with disadvantaged children and young people aged 18 years and under in the UK. Funding is available for organisations that help children facing various challenges, aiming to improve their well-being and opportunities.
  • Culture and Business Fund – Designed to support innovative and mutually beneficial partnerships between culture and business organisations across Scotland, and across the arts and heritage sectors. The C&BS Fund is an investment programme which receives funding from the Scottish Government.
  • D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust – Provides grants typically between £500 and £6,000 to charities working in the advancement of the arts, health and medical welfare, and environmental protection or improvement. Priorities include access to the arts for those with limited opportunities, music and drama projects for young people at risk of social exclusion,
  • Esmee Fairbairn Foundation – Funds organisations aiming to improve the natural world, secure a fairer future, and strengthen bonds in communities in the UK. Focus areas include the arts, children and young people, the environment, food, and social change. Grants are typically £30,000 and above, primarily for organisations with a turnover of more than £100,000.
  • Fidelio Charitable Trust – Grants of up to £5,000 for individuals and groups needing financial assistance for music, including opera, lieder, composition, and dance projects. 
  • Garfield Weston – Supports a wide range of organisations with grants of varying sizes in areas including welfare, youth, community, environment, education, health, arts, heritage, and faith. Both capital and revenue projects are considered.
  • Help Musicians UK – UK charity for professional musicians of all genres, from starting out through to retirement. Provides help at times of crisis and opportunity, offering support for health and welfare, creative development, and business skills.
  • Jerwood Foundation – Supports excellence and talent development in the arts. Accepts funding applications from organisations focused on making art available for public benefit and working with the Jerwood Collection.
  • Music for All – Music for All supports organisations across the UK to improve access to music-making via their community project funding. 
  • National Lottery Community Fund – Funding is available for organisations across the UK, supporting a wide range of activities that improve health, education, environment, and community development.
  • Old Possum’s Practical Trust – Provides grants ranging from £500 to £5,000 to support literary, artistic, musical, and theatrical projects and organisations. Focuses on initiatives that encourage creativity and the arts.
  • Paul Hamlyn Foundation – Aims to help people overcome disadvantage and lack of opportunity. Focus areas include the arts, education and learning, and social justice, with specific programmes for young people and migration.
  • PPL Giving – PPL Giving provides funding to initiatives which promote equality of opportunity; and facilitate their reach into a wide range of genres and geographical locations across the UK, reflective of PPL’s membership. 
  • PRS Foundation – Supports music creators of all genres and backgrounds, providing grants for the creation, performance, and promotion of new music, as well as career development.
  • The BRIT Trust – The BRIT Trust welcomes applications for grant funding consistent with its mission of “improving lives through the power of music and the creative arts”.
  • The George and Ena Baxter Foundation – For capital expenditure ranging from £100 up to £25,000, with the majority ranging from £1,000 to £10,000. Projects should show innovation and fit within five themes including Arts and Heritage – to promote and support arts and heritage to widen opportunity, access and participation for all.
  • The Hugh Fraser Foundation – The Foundation makes donations to charities which are active in such sectors as the arts and culture, medical & health, the environment and education, care and support of the young and elderly, people with disabilities and the under-privileged. 
  • The Leche Trust – Supports projects in two areas: performing arts and conservation; In the performing arts, it prioritises excellence in professional performance, with emphasis on new work and young performers.
  • The National Events Programme – Run by EventScotland, the National Events Programme is designed to support innovative new projects and activities at events. Awards of between £5,000 and £25,000 are available for events. 
  • The Pear Tree Fund – The Pear Tree Fund for Music was established in 2022 with the particular aim of the advancement of music in Scotland. 
  • The Radcliffe Trust – Supports the development of skills, knowledge, and experience in the UK’s cultural heritage and crafts sectors. Funding areas include music performance and training, especially for young professionals, and endangered crafts.
  • The Tasgadh Fund – Tasgadh is funded by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland and its delivery is managed by Fèisean nan Gàidheal with applications welcome from organisations and individuals. Tasgadh is designed to provide support for traditional artists and organisations to create, perform, tour and showcase work. The fund can also support professional development and learning projects. 
  • Universal Music UK Sound Foundation – Aims to improve access to music education in the UK and Ireland. Offers grants up to £5,000 for individuals in full-time education towards instrument/equipment costs, and for schools towards musical resources. Also provides bursaries for students at partner colleges/organisations.
  • Youth Music – Invests in music-making projects that support children and young people aged 0-25 to develop personally and socially, as well as musically. Prioritises those who face significant challenges in their lives, providing funding to organisations to help them run music projects and develop their workforce.

Development Agencies: 

  • Highlands and Islands Enterprise – Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has a range of funding programmes to support the development and growth of businesses and communities across the Highlands and Islands. 
  • Scottish Enterprise – Provides support for businesses to navigate the funding landscape, explore export, grow your business, and improve operations. 
  • South of Scotland Enterprise – South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) provide dedicated business support to any enterprise based in Dumfries & Galloway or Scottish Borders, whatever your scale or stage on the journey.

Mental Health and Wellbeing:

If you, or someone around you, is in immediate danger or needs urgent assistance, or you do not feel that you can keep yourself, or someone else safe, call 999. If you need urgent help or advice for your mental health call NHS 24 on 111. 

  • ACAS– Acas is the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service . They work with millions of employers and employees every year , and have guidance available on health and wellbeing in the workplace.
  • The British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) – Offers specialised healthcare and advice to musicians, dancers, actors, and other performing artists.
  • BPI – The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) complies list of current and evolving well-being resources for those working in the music industry and beyond.
  • Breathing Space Scotland – A free, confidential phone and webchat service for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety. Helpline number: 0800 83 85 87
  • Intercultural Youth Scotland – offers free, confidential counselling to Black and People of Colour (BPoC) children and young people, aged 12-25, in Scotland. Their service, focusing on racial trauma, provides up to 12 counselling sessions online, tailored to individual needs.
  • Leapers – Mental health resources for freelancers and the self-employed. Although no longer active, they left resources available for freelancers who may find them useful.
  • Music Minds Matter – An independent UK charity for music industry professionals, offering free mental health support Helpline: 0808 802 8008
  • Music Support – A charity that provides help and support for individuals in the UK music industry suffering from mental health issues or addiction. Helpline: 0800 030 6789 (managed by mental health-trained peers with lived experience).
  • Papyrus HOPELINEUK – PAPYRUS is committed to the prevention of young suicide, and the promotion of mental health and wellbeing . Their free and confidential suicide prevention helpline, is staffed by trained advisers and available 24/7. Helpline: 0800 068 4141 .
  • Samaritans – Samaritans work to make sure there’s always someone there for anyone struggling to cope, who needs to speak to someone. They are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to talk about anything upsetting you. Helpline: 116 123
  • The Musicians’ Union – The UK trade union for all musicians which represents over 35,000 musicians working in all sectors of the music business, providing advice, legal support, and financial assistance. The Musicians’ Wellbeing Guidance Pack offers advice on mental and physical health
  • Help Musicians – Help Musicians provides welfare support for professional musicians facing retirement, illness, or other needs. Assistance includes support for long-term illness, terminal illness, homelessness risk, parental leave, and retired musicians.

Organisational Resilience 

For Charities looking for support: 

For Organisations looking for support:

  • The Lloyds Bank Foundation, in partnership with The Good Ship, Embrace Finance and Mavrix Innovations and developed with charities funders and commissioners, created a simple programme and guide to help organisations look at their resilience.
  • Community Enterprise provides development support to social enterprises, charities and voluntary groups to help make ideas a reality. They also offer a ‘crisis button’ for community groups, social enterprises or third-sector organisations who are worried about their future sustainability or facing severe challenges. 
  • Business Gateway is a publicly funded service contributing to the economic wellbeing of Scotland by providing access to free business support services.