skip to main content

Additional £9M in Funding Announced for Scotland’s Creative Freelancers Hardship Fund

The Scottish Government have announced an additional £17.5 million to support creative freelancers and the events sector, including a welcome £9 million allocation to the Creative Freelancers Hardship Fund.

Published: 17 February 2021 | 10:59 AM Updated: 28 April 2021 | 4:32 PM
Photograpgh of a function band from behind, they appear to be playing a gig in a small venue. We can see the back of a guitarist, and two singers standing further from the camera.
An opening date for the next round of funding has not yet been announced. Photo credit: Shutterstock

The welcome news will provide extra support to those impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, and will bring the total value of support for creative freelancers in Scotland to £17 million.

Additionally, £7 million will go to the Pivotal Event Businesses Fund and the Events Industry Support Fund 2, and the remaining £1.5 million will be used to provide ‘targeted support’ to the events sector.

The £9 million which has been added to the Creative Freelancers Hardship Fund is effectively a top-up, and will be distributed under the same conditions and eligibility criteria as before.

Although Creative Scotland have announced their intention to make this new wave of funding available as soon as possible, an opening date for the next round of funding has not yet been announced. We will be keeping members informed as we know more, and also recommend checking back on the relevant page of Creative Scotland’s website.

#KeepMusicLive

Can a UBI keep music live?

The idea of a universal basic income has been around for centuries. Now, the MU and many others believe its time has come.

Can a UBI keep music live?

Continue reading

A woman sat in a park closing her eyes and gently stretching her neck to the side.

Exploring Neck Pain Through the Feldenkrais Method with Emma Alter

Originally posted on her blog, professional classical musician and Feldenkrais teacher Emma Alter discusses how our neck and spine work together. The rest of this year’s Feldenkrais sessions will follow the theme of ‘Freeing Your Neck’, and are free for MU members.

Published: 18 November 2025

Read more about Exploring Neck Pain Through the Feldenkrais Method with Emma Alter
A close-up of the BBC Scotland building in Glasgow.

BBC Radio Scotland Axes Four Longstanding Music Shows

Four of Scotland's best-known radio shows are due to be dropped by the end of the year and replaced with a new 'easy listening' programme for more mainstream appeal. Sign the petition to help reverse the decision and protect the future of music in Scotland.

Published: 17 November 2025

Read more about BBC Radio Scotland Axes Four Longstanding Music Shows
Percussion instruments in an orchestra.

Orchestra Accessibility Study Seeking Participants

Take part in a study by the University of Glasgow on the physical demands of playing in a professional orchestra, and how support can be improved for both disabled and non-disabled musicians.

Published: 13 November 2025

Read more about Orchestra Accessibility Study Seeking Participants