Place Programme

A central part of our work is to embrace the contribution that places make to a creative Scotland and we work closely with Local Authorities and others to realise the potential of all parts of Scotland. It's important that we have partnerships which identify shared priorities, encourage continued investment in culture.

Creative Scotland’s Place Programme operates at a strategic level with Local Authorities and other partners. Through place working we engage more deeply with local partners over time to build and maintain a good working knowledge of local authority areas and their creative communities. Our Place Programme includes the Place Partnership Programme and devolved funding for Visual Arts and Craft Maker Awards (managed by local partners).

About the Place Partnerships

The Place Partnership Programme is a strategic programme designed to encourage and support local partners to work together with their creative community. The partnership should aim to make significant interventions which address opportunities and issues, and help to strengthen creative development in their area.

Each year a small number of local partners (eg Local Authorities, Cultural Trusts) are invited to submit an outline proposal for a Place Partnership. The principles used for inviting a proposal are:

1. Locally initiated conversations with Creative Scotland on developing the cultural opportunities within the region indicating local readiness and understanding of the potential.
2. A clear ambition and vision for developing creative opportunities.
3. Indication from local partners that they could match Creative Scotland’s funding contribution.

Current Place Partnerships

• Aberdeenshire
• Aberdeen City
• Angus
• Argyll & Bute
• Highland
• Inverclyde
• Moray
• North Ayrshire
• Renfrewshire
• Scottish Borders
• South Ayrshire
• Stirling

Completed Place Partnerships include Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee, Fife and Perth & Kinross.

About the Visual Artist and Craft Maker Awards (VACMA)

Visual artists and crafts makers in Scotland can apply for funding through awards developed in partnership with Local Authorities and arts agencies across Scotland. These partnerships give support at a local level and work with local panels to offer funds to practitioners to develop their creative practice through new work, new skills or new opportunities. The awards are tailored to the needs of local artists and makers. Find out more about who is delivering these awards.

Further Information

To find out more about our place work and the Place Partnerships please contact the Place, Partnerships and Communities team at place@creativescotland.com.

If you have any general questions about funding, please contact the Enquiries Service on 0845 603 6000 (10am-12pm & 2-4pm Mon - Fri, voicemail outwith these hours) or email enquiries@creativescotland.com.