The Open Fund for Individuals is one of Creative Scotland’s key funding programmes, supporting the wide range of activity initiated by artists, writers, producers and other creative practitioners in Scotland. The overall annual budget for this fund is £5 million.

The Open Fund will support a period of research, development and/or delivery of creative activity for up to 24 months. You will need to list the start and end dates for your activity and to describe the outcomes, benefits and impacts that you wish to achieve.

This fund is designed to support creative activity such as a specific project, production or a period of research and development. It can support an individual’s time where this is related to specific creative outcomes.

This fund is for freelance and self-employed artists and creative practitioners living in Scotland.

You must be at least 18 years old to apply and not in full time education.

All applicants must have a UK bank account.

It is free to apply.

This fund is for freelance and self-employed individual artists and creative practitioners in Scotland whose project involves the arts or creative industries. 

This will depend on the complexity of your application. You will normally receive a decision within 8 to 12 weeks.

There are no deadlines for this fund and you can apply at any time during the year.

The overall budget for the Open Fund for Individuals consists of £5 million of National Lottery money.

The fund is open all year round, with no deadlines, and can support activity for up to 24 months.

Creative Scotland can accept applications for amounts between £500 and £100,000. There are 3 funding levels - £500 to £5000, £5001 to £20,000 and £20,001 to £100,000. If you are applying for over £5000, they will ask you to tell them more about some elements of your project or activity, including financial management and budget.

Visit the Creative Scotland website to read the application guidelines and complete an application form.