Details

This is a new fund, initiated by the Scottish Government and delivered by Creative Scotland.

It supports non-profit cultural festivals in Scotland with funding to enable innovation in programming and/or to showcase Scottish and Scotland-based artists and practitioners.

It aims to support festivals in expanding their international and domestic reach and profile, and/or create opportunities for skills or sector development.

There are three funding strands:

International Opportunities and Showcasing

Innovative Programming

Sector and Talent Development

To be eligible, your festival must:

Be based in Scotland

Run annually or biennially

Showcase work by professional Scottish and Scotland-based artists of both national and international significance

You can apply for between £50,000 and £200,000, for programmes of activity between 1 May 2026 and 31 December 2027.

Your project must start no earlier than 1 May 2026 and finish by 31 December 2027. 

Premium information is available exclusively to SCVO members and supporters

Geographical areas funded: Scotland

Fund type

Type of funding:

Type of cost:

Revenue

Fund award sizes

Minimum:

Premium information

Maximum:

Premium information

Who can apply

All applicant festivals must be based in Scotland, deliver an annual or biennial festival that showcases work by professional Scottish and Scotland-based artists of both national and international significance.

Further details listed on Creative Scotland's Website.

When to apply

Currently closed. There is a two-stage application process to the Expanded Festivals Fund.

• Stage 1: Eligibility and Project Overview

Opens: 2pm, Wednesday 3 September 2025

Closes: 2pm, Wednesday 15 October 2025

Decisions: no later than Tuesday 4 November

• Stage 2: Full Application

Opens: 2pm, Wednesday 5 November 2025

Closes: 2pm, Wednesday 17 December 2025 

Next deadline: 15 Oct 2025

How to apply

All applications must be made through Creative Scotland’s online Funding Management System.

For information on how to register, access and complete the application form, visit: my.creativescotland.com/user-guide.

Contact information

Exclusions

Premium information

Activites funded: Arts and culture Citizenship and community involvement

Beneficiaries funded: General public Local communities

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Last reviewed about 16 hours ago