Creative Scotland are keen to hear your thoughts and experiences of the current Open Funds as they continue to review their funding programmes.

Prior to the pandemic, Creative Scotland undertook a comprehensive funding review that offered valuable insights into the sector’s needs and how they could improve their relationship with funding applicants. Since publishing the review recommendations, they have implemented a process of evolution and development of all the funding programmes to ensure they continue to meet the needs of the sectors they support.

In 2021 they responded to the recommendations of this funding review by revising the National Lottery Open Fund for Individuals, which was followed the next year by a new National Lottery Open Fund for Organisations.  This year they completed the next major milestone with the implementation of Creative Scotland’s Multi-Year funding programme. All three of these funds included various elements suggested by organisations and individuals through the funding review.

They continue to follow this cycle of review of their funding programmes and are now considering the next evolution of open access funding for both individuals and organisations. They are keen to hear your thoughts and your experiences of our current Open Funds.

As one of their key funding routes, the current Open Funds (the Open Fund for Organisations and the Open Fund for Individuals) currently support a wide range of activity across the cultural sector in Scotland, initiated by organisations, artists, producers and many types of creative practitioner.

This survey will help them understand how they can best shape the new Open Access Funds to improve access, simplify processes and better support the sector.

The questions cover the application process, applicants’ experiences and an opportunity to offer ideas and suggestions about how Creative Scotland could redevelop Open Access Funding in the future.

They are looking to gather as wide a range of views as possible, and are keen to hear from:
– Individuals and organisations who have received support through their Open Funds within the last three years (since 2022)
– Individuals and organisations who have considered applying for Open Funding but felt that the process, structure or requirements created barriers for them. Their experiences are important to understanding how Creative Scotland can ensure there is equitable access to funding.
– Individuals and organisations who applied for funding over the last three years but were unsuccessful (since 2022)

The survey should take 15-20 mins to complete and will be open from 30 October – 28 November 2025.

For further information, please contact research@creativescotland.com or visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/32K7RRN.