Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival are inviting applications for their small grants scheme to support participatory arts projects taking place as part of their 2026 programme.

With funding from the Baring Foundation and Creative Scotland, they are offering grants of between £750 and £1,250 to support regional participatory arts projects in areas currently underrepresented in the SMHAF programme.

This year they will have a strategic focus on Perth, Stirling and towns and rural areas across Scotland. The fund will support at least 10 projects overall.

The SMHAF 2026 Regional Participatory Arts Fund is open to individual artists, organisations, or artists working in partnership with an organisation, but the project must be led by a named artist working across any artform (including, but not limited to, music, film, writing, visual art, theatre and dance).

By ‘participatory arts’ they mean projects in which the audience or community is actively involved in the creative process, becoming co-creators alongside artists. Participatory arts projects involve collaboration and shared decision-making, and should empower those taking part to express themselves creatively with guidance from a lead artist.

Projects should respond in some way to the 2026 festival theme, Reflections, and the work should be showcased during this year’s festival dates, 19 October – 8 November 2026.

Applications should be submitted through the online application form at the festival website, where you will find more detailed information about the fund and the application process.

The closing date for applications is Fri 29 May 2026. Applicants will be notified of decisions no later than Fri 19 June 2026.

For further information, please contact smhaf@mentalhealth.org.uk (Andrew Eaton-Lewis) or visit https://www.mhfestival.com/2026/04/call-for-applications-smhaf-2026-regional-participatory-arts-fund/.