Gray’s School of Art secures funding to support creative networks

Ten new or existing creative networks in the North East will benefit from twenty five thousand pounds of Creative Scotland funding as part of the Create Networks programme that will be led by the creative unit at Gray’s School of Art, Look Again.

Grants of £500-£1500 are available for creative practitioners to run their own networking events as part of a drive to build and share knowledge, skills and capacity in the sector.

This is the second time Gray’s Look Again has delivered the Create Networks programme. The first programme ran in 2021 during the Covid pandemic lockdowns, and helped groups of artists, musicians, designers and makers.

Project Lead for Gray’s Create Networks programme, Hilary Nicoll, says: “We are absolutely thrilled to have secured more Creative Scotland funding to support the evolution and adaptation of grassroots creative networks in the north east. The first Create Network programme helped ten networks of creative practitioners thrive throughout the lockdown, and we’re looking forward to supporting further development among our diverse and innovative creative sector post pandemic.

“The Create Networks, led by Look Again at RGU, is an important part of the University’s desire to support the cultural, economic and social regeneration of the north east, and to foster a vibrant culture of enterprise across the region as the creative sector grapples with the cost of living challenges that we are all experiencing.”

Jessica Bonehill, Creative Industries Officer at Creative Scotland says: “We're delighted to be able to support further network development in the Northeast following great work being done in the area already. Look Again will fund 10 microgrants across the wider region, including the Northern Isles that will support grass-roots activity to help develop sustainable networks of creative businesses followed by a ‘sharing the learning’ event. Networks are vital for creative businesses to strengthen their activities through peer-learning and collaboration and create a body of support to grow their work together.”

The previous Create Networks supported artists, musicians, designers and makers sell their work at craft markets, develop photography for social media to a professional level, develop new networks to increase their knowledge of how to apply for grants, and supported the development of new work. Groups that benefited include a drawing project in Shetland for young neuro-diverse musicians, a writer’s group in Aberdeen and a printmakers skills sharing group in Orkney. The Create Networks programme also supported an artists group called 'Miasma', who went on to play a large part in last year's Wonderland festival, with further support from Look Again.

Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about the value of art and creativity in Scotland and join in at www.ourcreativevoice.scot

Applications close on Sunday 12 March. Learn more about the Create Network programme: