Shetland Arts is pleased to publish today a major new study into the need for and provision of small-scale finance for creative practitioners and the creative sector. The study commissioned by Shetland Arts and carried out by the BoP Consulting through 2010 provides a key insight into the finance needs and habits of creative people in Scotland.
The cultural and creative industries are currently navigating a difficult period with reducing availability of public and private sector funding both in the UK and internationally. As a consequence there is an increasing interest in identifying additional means of supporting creative businesses amongst creative sector funders and practitioners.
Through their work with local artists, Shetland Arts had long been aware of the need for a mechanism, additional to existing grant financing, through which to fund small scale creative activity. Shetland Arts discussed the idea with other arts organisations who agreed the idea was worthy of further investigation. This feasibility study builds on an earlier briefing paper by Mission Models Money (MMM) for Shetland Arts. It has been undertaken with the support of time and funds from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Creative Scotland (CS then the Scottish Arts Council) and MMM who were commissioned to oversee the study on behalf of Shetland Arts. A steering group was formed to provide additional support and guidance.
There are plans to explore the implications of this new study alongside other related work that has been recently published or is in the final stages of research at a national event later in year.
For more information on the study and background to its commisioning contact Gwilym Gibbons 0n (01595) 743843
