We Are Here Scotland’s Creators’ Fund open for applications

Applications for We Are Here Scotland’s (WAHS) Creators’ Fund are now live. The fund aims to provide practical funding opportunities for Black and PoC artists and creatives across Scotland, along with one-to-one mentorship from experienced industry professionals.

WAHS launched the Creators’ Fund to provide BPoC artists and creatives with funding opportunities that will help them progress in their professional development. On 9 June, the Creators’ Fund reached its £6000 target and we are now inviting applications from eligible individuals. The fund will not only provide financial support, but also practical career advice, support and guidance.

For the first round of the Creators’ Fund, We Are Here Scotland will be selecting 7 creators who will each receive £500. The second round will take place in Spring 2022.

Founder and Co-Director Ica Headlam says:

As the founder of We Are Here Scotland. I’m very thankful to everyone who has supported us in achieving our Creators’ Fund target. This truly is a very unique time in which we can continue the momentum to celebrate a variety of creatives in our community, and I look forward to seeing all the projects that will evolve from the fund and hope that this is the start of real change across Scotland’s creative industries.

Co-Director Briana Pegado says:

The Creators’ Fund, crowdsourced by members of our community and our allies, is an important opportunity for us to put money in the pockets of BPoC creatives across Scotland. Ica took the initiative to set up the fund to support 12 Black and people of colour creators and we have surpassed our target. There is so much more work to do, but this fund is a start and I look forward to getting to know the wonderful creators selected to receive funding who normally fall through the ether of any other funding available to creatives across the UK.

Each successful applicant will receive:

  • £500 in funding
  • One dedicated mentor providing mentoring over the duration of the fund
  • Media coverage through WAHS

The closing date for the Creators’ Fund is: (31 October 2021 at 11.59pm GMT) 

Please note that the Creators’ Fund is for:

  • individuals who identify as Black or a person of colour
  • aged 18 years old and above
  • living in Scotland
  •  studying or practicing as an artist or creative in Scotland. E.g. enrolled on a college or university course, informally trained as an artist, with an artist studio, or sharing/showing their work on a public platform including social media. Please note that you do not have to have your work displayed on a public platform

To apply for the fund please visit: https://www.weareherescotland.com/creators-fund

 

MENTORS

WAHS are looking for fourteen mentors across Scotland’s creative and artistic industries. This includes people from Black and PoC communities and our allies. This will also be a paid opportunity for those who are selected as mentors with a payment of £30 per hour.

If you would like to express interest, please visit: https://www.weareherescotland.com/mentor-interest