Community creativity scheme

Caithness get chance to bid for award

COMMUNITIES in the Highland Council area are being encouraged to apply for the Creative Scotland investment opportunity entitled Creative Places Awards.
The Creative Places Awards are part of Creative Scotland’s new investment programme over the coming three years, beginning with the Year of Creative Scotland in 2012. The Year of Creative Scotland will celebrate and promote Scotland’s cultural and creative vibrancy and be a launch platform for activity to support the Year of Homecoming 2014.
The purpose of the Creative Places Awards is to recognise and celebrate the achievements of smaller communities where local festivals, events and year-round activities that enhance people’s lives and contribute to the local economy take place. Scottish cities including Inverness are not eligible to apply for these Awards.
The intention behind the Awards is to reward the hard work and imagination that lies behind communities celebrating the value of creativity to social and economic wellbeing.
Three cash awards will be given in Scotland in 2012, 2013 and 2014. In each year, £50,000 will be awarded to an area with a population of up to 2,500, £100,000 to an area with between 2,500 and 10,000 people and £150,000 to an area with a population of between 10,000 and 100,000.
Full information on the Awards and how to apply is available at http://www.creativescotland.com/inve...-events-201214
For Awards in 2012, applications must be submitted to Creative Scotland by Friday 28th October 2011. Applications must include a letter of endorsement from the local authority Council Chief Executive.
Potential applicants in The Highland Council area should in the first instance liaise with John MacDonald of the Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service on 01478 614057 or by e-mail at john.macdonald@highland.gov.uk . The Council needs to know of bids by 25th October 2011.
The winners for 2012 will be announced at an awards ceremony which will take place towards the end of January 2012.