Flexible Fund: Diversity and Inclusion Surgery Session
Overview
Book your surgery slot to discuss your project proposal to be submitted with the Diversity & Inclusion Fund.
Diversity & Inclusion Fund
A new £100,000 fund to support Edinburgh-based Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) artists, practitioners and producers in the Capital’s arts and culture sector is now open for applications.
The City of Edinburgh Council’s Diversity & Inclusion Fund will focus on projects that promote greater creative collaboration between black, Asian and minority ethnic artists, practitioners and producers and Edinburgh-based cultural organisations.
Grants of up to £5,000, £10,000 and £20,000 will be awarded to organisations or individuals based in the Capital to help with the costs involved in developing new performing artwork (music, dance, spoken word and theatre), film making and screenings, digital art, cultural events and creative writing.
A Panel of industry specialists will review applications for Diversity & Inclusion Fund grant awards in April 2020.
Who can apply?
Projects involving Edinburgh-based artists and practitioners and taking place within the City of Edinburgh boundary. Grants will be awarded to projects that promote greater collaboration between minority ethnic artists/practitioners, and Edinburgh-based cultural organisations. Projects should reach, involve, benefit and engage BAME artists and/or cultural organisations and creative practitioners.
Projects and activities could include: visual and performing arts (music, dance, spoken word and theatre), film making and screenings, digital art, cultural events and creative writing.
A total Fund budget of £100,000 is available for projects developed in financial year 2020/21 offering: 6 grant awards of up to £5,000; 3 grants of up to £10,000; and 2 grant awards of up to £20,000
The deadline for submissions is 3 April 2020 (23:59 GMT). An online application form and further information about the fund can be found at https://cultureedinburgh.com/updates
Diversity & Inclusion Fund: FAQs
ELIGIBILITY
1. Can an artist / creative practitioner apply on their own?
No. The project activities should be developed and delivered in partnership with a registered charitable/not-for-profit organisation. The lead artist needs to be directly involved in developing a project proposal in partnership with a partner organisation.
2. Can artists based outwith Edinburgh or a company registered elsewhere in Scotland be involved in the project development and delivery?
Yes, as long as the project is developed and delivered in partnership with Edinburgh-based artists and organisations. Project proposals need to primarily and directly benefit those based in Edinburgh.
3. How experienced do artists/creatives need to be to be considered?
We are looking for partnership applications that engage artists and creatives at any stage of their career who adapt any art form to express themselves and/or share their ideas and cultures. There is no specific age/experience/track record requirement.
4. What organisations are eligible to apply?
We prioritise Edinburgh-based organisations. However, if a project is developed by an organisation or artist based outwith Edinburgh but primarily and directly involves and benefits Edinburgh-based artists, practitioners and/or communities it will be considered. We are looking for applications from registered organisations, including BAME/non-BAME organisations/centres, arts and culture organisations/centres, community organisations/centres etc. Any charitable/not-for-profit organisation, including charities, SCIOs, CICs is eligible to apply.
CEC Strategic Partner organisations can be part of the partnership but cannot be the lead applicant. The list of the City of Edinburgh Council Culture Service Strategic Partners 2020/23 can be found at https://bit.ly/2TIYi8i
Any individuals or organisations in receipt of other CEC funding (e.g. VACMA: Edinburgh or Culture Project Fund) are eligible to apply as lead applicants.
5. Can newly established organisations apply?
Yes. They will need to submit a copy of their constitution and a bank statement if no accounts are available yet.
6. We are an established annual event, can we apply?
Yes, as long as the project proposal encourages new development and partnership working.
7. Can the fund support collaboration between a BAME artist / creative and a Scottish / British artist / creative?
Yes, as long as the project is submitted by a registered organisation. We do encourage greater artistic and creative collaboration between Edinburgh-based practitioners.
8. Does the fund support new or existing partnerships?
The fund can support both new and existing partnerships between BAME artists/creatives and organisations.
9. Can you give examples of partnerships?
Each project should include at least two partners, one of them being a BAME artist/creative and another - a registered organisation. There can be as many partners and groups involved in the partnership as required.
Examples of partnership models can be found below. Please note this is merely an indication of how partnerships can be formed.
A BAME music collective working with a BAME organisation on writing, recording and performing music.
A BAME theatre practitioner focusing on their professional development working with a theatre company (lead applicant) and one of the CEC Strategic Partners Theatre Grouping members.
A BAME filmmaker developing a script and filming stories of a BAME organisation and its members.
A BAME visual artist working with a community arts centre and a designer to develop and exhibit work as part of a major festival programme.
10. Does the project need to have an audience engagement element to it?
No. Artistic and creative project at different stages of development will be considered.
11. Does the work need to be developed in the English language?
No. We do encourage any medium to be used to better share the BAME artist(s) / creative(s) experiences and ideas.
12. When should the project timeline start and finish?
The activities should commence and develop within 2020/21 financial year. Should project exhibition / performance / other benefits take place as a result of the project in future years, this can be considered.
13. Can you apply for both Diversity & Inclusion and Arts & Health Funds offered as part of the Flexible Fund?
Yes. One organisation can apply for both funds as long as the projects are different.
BUDGET
14. What activities will be funded?
The project should develop clear artistic and/or professional development outcomes. Any artistic/creative activity, including professional development, curating, programming, production, development, performance, exhibition, and/or cultural/community events can be funded through the Flexible Fund. Only direct project costs relating to delivering those activities are eligible for funding. The costs can include fees, production, marketing, space/equipment hire etc. The costs not eligible for funding are permanent posts, press events and launches, equipment purchase, capital projects, projects which primarily take place outside Edinburgh. Travel and accommodation can be considered in exceptional circumstances.
15. What rates should be used for artists’ involvement in the project?
Please find links to industry rates as recommended industry bodies listed below. Please note that all project facilitators, artists, creatives, managers involved in the project delivery are expected to be remunerated as per industry rates. Only in special circumstances when project partners declare that they do not require to be paid for their work and their contribution towards the project delivery is in-kind they can be involved on a no-fee basis.
BECTU: https://bectu.org.uk/get-involved/ratecards/
ITC:https://www.itc-arts.org/rates-of-pay
UK Theatre / Equity Commercial Theatre Rates:
https://uktheatre.org/EasySiteWeb/GatewayLink.aspx?alId=2472182
UK Theatre/ Equity Rates for Subsidised Managers (in receipt of public funding):
https://uktheatre.org/EasySiteWeb/GatewayLink.aspx?alId=2472181
UK Theatre/Musicians Union:
https://uktheatre.org/EasySiteWeb/GatewayLink.aspx?alId=2307504
UK Theatre / Writers Guild:
https://uktheatre.org/EasySiteWeb/GatewayLink.aspx?alId=2173338
SSP: http://www.scottishsocietyofplaywrights.co.uk/commission-rates.html
UK Theatre/ BECTU/Equity Choreographers:
https://uktheatre.org/EasySiteWeb/GatewayLink.aspx?alId=488668
UK Theatre/ BECTU/ Equity Designers:
Resident Designers: https://uktheatre.org/EasySiteWeb/GatewayLink.aspx?alId=488666
Set and Costume Designers:
https://uktheatre.org/EasySiteWeb/GatewayLink.aspx?alId=488670
Lighting Designers: https://uktheatre.org/EasySiteWeb/GatewayLink.aspx?alId=488669
UK Theatre/ BECTU/ Equity Directors:
https:// uktheatre.org /EasySiteWeb/GatewayLink.aspx?alI d=488667
Visual Artists:
http://www.payingartists.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Paying-Artists-Exhibition-Payment-Guide.pdf
Musicians: https://www.musiciansunion.org.uk/
ASSESSMENT PROCESS
16. Will applications submitted via the online form (The Consultation Hub) only be considered?
No. Only applications submitted via the Consultation Hub and emailed to culturaldevelopment@edinburgh.gov.uk will be considered. Once you have completed the online application form, budget template and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form, you are required to download and email these documents (signed and scanned) to: culturaldevelopment@edinburgh.gov.uk. Applicants are also required to email a copy of the Lead Applicant’s accounts / bank statement and constitution.
17. Who will assess the submitted applications?
Applications will be considered by members of the awards panel, comprising officers from the City of Edinburgh Council and specialist independent advisors. All specialist independent advisors are of BAME backgrounds.
18. If some projects receive less funding than £5k, £10k or £20k allocation, is it possible to have more projects funded?
Yes. This will depend on the number and quality of applications received. A minimum of 11 projects will be awarded funding. Successful projects will not automatically be awarded the maximum available and the awards panel reserves the right to offer an amount different to that requested. The aim, however, is to ensure that the allocated resources are used for the benefit of the BAME arts and culture. Applicants should apply for the exact amount needed for their project.
REPORTING
19. How do successful projects report on the project delivery?
Each lead artist and lead applicant will be required to submit individual reports summarising their experience of the project development and implementation. Each will be asked to reflect on the impact the project has had on their own growth and development as an individual or organisation, their involvement in Edinburgh’s arts and culture industry as a result of participating in the project development and delivery, the experience of working in partnership as well as the difference the fund has made. The lead applicant will also need to report on the budget expenses by submitting a final expenses summary report.
If the project included working with communities and/or audiences, activities feedback forms will be used to monitor attendance. Both quantitative information and qualitative feedback is expected to be collected. Example activity monitoring forms will be sent to all successful projects.
Areas
- All Areas
Audiences
- Anyone from any background
Interests
- Funding opportunities