Coronavirus: Creative Scotland confirms £2m extra funding for freelancers

Creative Scotland is set to give out an additional £2 million in relief to help the country’s artists and freelancers cope during the coronavirus outbreak.

The Scottish government is providing £1 million, with a further £1 million from the Freelands Foundation.

Together they will bolster the original £2 million Creative Scotland Bridging Bursary Fund (Arts and Creative).

It will provide support for freelance creative professionals, focusing on those who are "most deeply impacted and disadvantaged" by having work cancelled and are least likely to benefit from either the job retention or self-employed income support schemes.

The fund reopens today (April 20) for a second phase thanks to the new money, with grants of between £500 and £2,500 available.

Fiona Hyslop, Scotland’s culture secretary, said: "The Scottish government believes culture and creativity are essential to our well-being, and we are working hard to support those who make this hugely important contribution to our society as they navigate these difficult times.