Mask your shade and corruption
Mask your shade and corruption
Funding and culture news, community events, open calls for writing & writers, and a community prompt, plus early-bird Coop tickets for paying subscribers
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All righty, it’s a big news day! Yeah, that’s right, we’re back on our funding soapbox because the Open Fund for Individuals reopens today, October 8.
On September 17, Creative Scotland announced that Open Fund for Individuals will reopen for applications at 2 pm on Tuesday, October 8. According to their statement the Open Fund for Individuals process will be updated to meet demand, including the maximum award amount reducing from £100,000 to £50,000 and decision timescales extending by two weeks. Creative Scotland will also publish updated guidance on the same day.
As the Individual Fund prepared to reopen, Creative Scotland got in touch with all applicants who submitted before the closure to advise them of their options - this includes my own application. These options included withdrawing applications from consideration to develop them further or keeping any submitted applications in the running for potential funding awards.
While the news of secured funding and the subsequent reopening of the Individual Fund is welcome, it’s important to note that the demands and pressures on Creative Scotland’s services and the arts and culture sector at large remains.
Last week, Creative Scotland announced that decisions for the new Multi-Year Funding programme would be delayed until the end of January 2025. The MYF programme announcements and funding awards were due to be released this month and this three-month delay will (and has already) put additional and undue pressure on organisations that have already endured the first two stages of the gruelling application process. Those applicants are now facing even more uncertainty as Creative Scotland awaits yet more budget clarification from the Scottish Government who continue to fail arts and creative workers who have been warning of the continuously unfolding cultural catastrophe we’re seeing in Scotland.
With news of closures due to funding cuts, including the closure and reduced hours of CCA in Glasgow and the People’s Story Museum in Edinburgh, it is a scary time to be a creative worker or business owner. News of funding delays due to a lack of clarity until the Scottish Government draft budget can be announced in December 2024 is shocking and concerning as the arts and culture sector continues to brace itself for more bad news.
Currently, there are 281 applications to the Multi-Year Funding programme, with an annual ask of £87.5m. These applications are being assessed as part of Stage 2 of the published process for Multi-Year Funding. Final decisions on the level of support Creative Scotland can provide to successful organisations will be made after the draft budget announcement later this year.
Having worked in the creative industries for the last five years, I understand timelines can change and unexpected circumstances can get in the way. However, when our businesses and livelihoods are put under the microscope during the Creative Scotland application process, whether that’s for the Individual Fund, Organisation Fund, or a programme as wide-reaching as the Multi-Year Fund, it is unacceptable that the people who have to lay out their budgets, their timelines, and risk assessments in excruciating detail are now at the mercy of promises that haven’t been kept either by Creative Scotland or the Scottish Government.
It’s not fair to blame the chronically under-resourced funding body, Creative Scotland, for this crisis as they’re beholden to whatever budget is granted from the National Lottery and the Scottish Government, but delays to address the underfunding of our industry, as well as the siphoning off of cash from our communities by large corporations at our festivals, falls squarely on the shoulders of politicians and public servants who have consistently devalued and undermined our industry (or who have seen our creative scene as a cash cow) and left us in this crisis in the first place.
It’s time for the Scottish Government to listen to our artists, creatives, and industry workers. It’s time to do more than lay out a budget that won’t be delivered upon. We need real, tangible, more community-focused solutions that work for the people who live in our cities and towns, the same people who keep our industry and creativity alive year-round, not just the moments our capital is paraded across the world stage as if it really supports our industry and doesn’t exploit those who are living through low-wages and gate-kept from their own scenes for a whole summer.
If you’d like to help or put pressure on the government to actually support your creative scene, please sign the Campaign for the Arts petition or join the campaign for free. For art and creative workers who are looking for more protection and who want to organise, you can also find a list of creative unions in this newsletter.
Community Events
Glasgow Zine Library Poetry Open Mic
Yeah, that’s a picture of the GZL October events programme, but they’re kicking a packed month off in style with their Poetry Open Mic on Wednesday, October 9 from 6.30 pm. Join the GZL team for a night of creativity and expression in the heart of Glasgow's Southside. Whether you're a seasoned performer or trying out the mic for the first time, this event is the perfect opportunity to share your voice and connect with fellow artists. You can pre-book a slot, but there will also be a signup sheet available on the day of if you’re not able to commit ahead of time.
Don’t forget to check out the rest of GZL’s amazing events for the rest of the month, my personal highlights include Collage and Conversation: Resistance in the Face of Fascism on October 11, Imagining Digital Futures and Sexual Health on October 18, and their reading groups such as Un/Nature: A Queer Ecologies Reading Group on October 20, Queer Read-In Club Glasgow on October 28, and Sex Positive Reading Group on October 29.
Find out more about GZL’s Poetry Open Mic here or pre-book a slot here
Join the Versaye team on Wednesday, October 9 at The Glad Cafe in Glasgow for what promises to be a spectacular cross-genre night of entertainment in support of BADIL, a non-profit organisation campaigning to stop Israel's genocide and protect Palestinian human rights.
This month they have a plethora of wonderful Scotland-based acts including poets, hip-hop artists, musicians, filmmakers, and comedians. Featured artists include Victoria McNulty, Finola Scott, Dr. Katie Ailes, Spencer Mason, and Anna Secret Poet. This is an event you don’t want to miss!
Get more information about Versaye for Palestine here or book tickets here
Argonaut Books October Events Programme
The Third Annual Argonaut Halloween Extravaganza begins this week on October 10! The Argonaut Books team are horror enthusiasts - for those who don’t know already - and every year their October events programme is spook-tacular. This year they’re hosting a range of workshops, book launches, film screenings, markets, and book clubs, not to mention horror book discounts and their latest spooky tote bags.
Highlights from the programme include:
- A special book club on October 15 discussing Mariana Enriquez’s latest release A Sunny Place for Shady People
- Their monthly horror book club on October 25 looking spooky classic Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
- An evening of horror stories with Andrew Donaldson and Amaris Chase on October 30
Browse their October events and book tickets here
Scottish Renaissance Women in Print
Join Dr Anette Hagan on October 10 at the National Library of Scotland for an enlightening discussion on three Renaissance women from Scotland: Eleanor Stewart, daughter of King James I; Mary, Queen of Scots; and Elizabeth Melville, Lady Culross. Discover how each of these women made unique contributions to the history of printing.
Explore the fascinating connections between these influential figures, their works, and the places they lived. Dr Hagan will uncover surprising facts about the pivotal role women played in shaping the Renaissance in Scotland and Europe.
Grab a free ticket here
Loud Poets Spoken Word Showcase
This Friday, October 11 the Loud Poets are back at the Scottish Storytelling Centre for another brilliant showcase of the best of Scotland and the UK’s spoken word artists. This month they’re featuring poetry from Dominic Berry, Hannah Lavery, Natalie Jayne Clark, and Thabo! These amazing poets will be showing off their latest work from the laugh-out-loud to the emotional and political alongside live music from Jack Hinks.
Get your tickets here
To celebrate Green Libraries Week the National Library of Scotland is hosting a morning of nature crafts for families. Drop into the National Library on Saturday, October 12 to make a bird feeder or bug hotel for your garden or choose from other nature-themed crafts. All materials are provided.
Free tickets are available here
Five Stages: An Exploration of Grief Through Poetry
Did you want to see Five Stages during Fringe, but the world just wouldn’t get out the way? That's okay, 'cause Beth Macdonald is doing Five Stages live again!
Beth is doing this special one-off show of Five Stages on October 12 at Augustine United Church with support from Fynn Köster & Fiona Jane. Five Stages is an exploration of grief through poetry. This is a free ticketed event, so if you want on the list, message Beth as soon as you can, because it will sell out fast! The event is BYOB and doors at 5.30 pm. The show starts at 6 pm and ends at 7.30 pm.
Contact Beth directly on Instagram to get on the list
Radical Book Fair 2024 Program Launch
Join the Lighthouse Books team on Saturday, October 12 (which is also Bookshop Day!) for the program launch for this year’s Radical Book Fair. The RBF is taking place November 21-24 at the Assembly Roxy! The theme for this year's fair will be From Where We Stand. They’ll be announcing this year's panels, workshops, stalls, and discussions, and you can get your hands on a physical program as well, all while enjoying performances from local writers including Anthony V. Capildeo, Andrés N. Ordorica, Lakshmi Ajay, and me!
The program launch will be a nod to the thirty years of a radical bookshop existing on West Nicolson Street, the Lighthouse team will be celebrating the way histories of resistance, protest, and change-making live on in every step the community takes toward a more just future. Sometimes it's not only about making new worlds - it's also about building from the worlds that have wilfully been buried through history which we all depend on.
Book your tickets here
Join Edinburgh-based wellness community, FLARE*, on October 13 at Leith Arches for the autumn edition of Flare the Fair. Get cosy and ready for the nesting season with their alcohol-free events to keep you feeling good as the darker and colder nights start to come.
FLARE* promises you a fun-packed day of wellness wonders to mark the change of season! Think warming tea, books, cosy knitwear, journalling, massage, pumpkins, hot sauna, crystals, candles, autumn smells, themed art, tarot, cacao, and so much more! They’ve got a whole host of wellness products, services, workshops, and talks await. Come on in from the cold and warm up with connection and good vibes. Entry is completely free with workshops paid separately, and you can pop in anytime between 11 am to 4 pm.
The workshop and talk schedule will be released very soon, so make sure you’re following FLARE* on Instagram for updates or by signing up for their newsletter on their website
The Humour Mill presents THE MATERIAL MILL, their popular open comedy writing group on Monday, October 14 from 6.30 to 8.30 pm at Paterson’s Land at The University of Edinburgh. Go along to network, get feedback, make pals, write new jokes, and refine your material. Drop-ins are also welcome on the day. Comedy writers and performers of all stages welcome - from brand new acts to seasoned pros and all comedy styles.
Book your free tickets here
Monday Evening Writing Session
Women Who Write Edinburgh has a packed programme of events this October. Their Monday Evening Writing Sessions on October 14 and October 28 are currently a waitlist-only thing, because they’ve sold out their spaces (!!!), but you can get on the waitlist by joining their community group on WhatsApp - message them on Instagram to join.
WWWE will also be at Flare the Fair on October 13 with a stall talking and sharing about who they are and what they do. They also have a range of other writing sessions available including: monthly Rise & Write on October 18, where they meet from 7 am until around 9 am. This month, they’ll be meeting at 7 am at Cairngorm Coffee. There’s also the Late Night Write on October 23 for night owls and the inaugural Murder She Crowed on October 27 where you’ll get creative by writing your own murder mystery and then coming together over afternoon tea.
Check out WWWE’s October events programme here and subscribe to their newsletter here
Outreach Sexual Health Clinic for Trans & Nonbinary People
Waverley Care, LGBT Health and Wellbeing, LGBT Youth Scotland, and NHS Lothian are joining up to start a new outreach sexual health clinic for trans and nonbinary people! This clinic is the first of its kind in Scotland and it’s a huge step to reduce barriers that trans people face when trying to access sexual health services.
The Outreach Clinic will be an inclusive, welcoming space for trans and non-binary people to get tested and discuss PrEP, contraception, or overall sexual health and well-being. The clinic will be held at the LGBT Health and Wellbeing offices on Duncan Place in Edinburgh every other Thursday with drop-ins from 1-4 pm. The Clinic’s official start date is October 17!
More information coming soon, but if you have any questions in the meantime, don’t hesitate to contact Waverley Care or LGBT Health and Wellbeing
Behold, a whole month of spooky poetry events from writer and performer Lewis Brown! Join Lewis on Friday, October 18 for Online Workshop the Second on the Spooky Poet Club Discord or in person on Sunday, October 20 for Poetry Bites, a creative writing workshop at the Biscuit Factory in Newcastle. Then go see the culmination of Spooky Poem Month on Saturday, October 26 at TERROR IN THE TUNNEL with live poetry in the Victoria Tunnel in Newcastle from Lewis and Edinburgh-based poet and performer, Mark Gallie.
Join the Spooky Poet Club here to stay up to date with Spooky Poem Month
Embark on a night of connection, expression, and enchanting ambiance with the launch of Perfect Purple Pairings by Purple Poetry on October 18 at Victor Hugo Deli - The Shore. This unique immersive event in Edinburgh is centered around connection and allows you to spend an enchanting evening reflecting on, and celebrating the connection you have with someone.
Tickets include carefully crafted cocktails or mocktails, listening to charming live tunes, and chatting over our interesting conversation prompts. You’'ll leave Perfect Purple Pairings with a custom poem written about your loved one(s).
Get your tickets here
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Next week on Friday, October 18 the Scottish International Storytelling Festival begins at the Scottish Storytelling Centre. Highlights from the programme include:
- Emotional Literacy with Storytelling on October 19 exploring how to use stories and storytelling to improve emotional literacy
- Tales, Tunes & Folklore from Around the Coast on October 19 with storyteller Lizzie McDougall and musicians Siannie Moodie and Nick Jenkins who’ll take you on a special journey around the North Coast
- Telling Across the Divide on October 20, this workshop with Sef Townsend draws on his personal experience in Asia, Africa, and the Americas working in immigrant, refugee and interfaith communities and aims to share some of the ways he uses stories to bring people together, break down inhibitions and build cooperation
- Open Hearth on October 22 with Shona Cowie, Martin MacIntyre, and Fin Moore this gathering of storytellers and musicians brings a relaxed evening of stories and music to the Netherbow Theatre
- Guid Crack on October 25, a festival special of Edinburgh’s long-running storytelling night, featuring guest storyteller Ian Stephen, who’ll lead a session of stories around the festival theme of Bridges Between. With a chance to share a tale of your own
To get a taste of what SISF has in store and some insight into the importance of storytelling as an art form, listen to this episode of the EHFM Culture Show with festival programmer, Dan Abercrombie and storyteller and theatremaker, Niall Moorjani.
Browse the programme and book tickets here
Kevin P Gilday & The Glasgow Cross
Join award-winning poet and performer Kevin P. Gilday and band The Glasgow Cross to celebrate the launch of their new album How I Won the Culture War with a special headline show at Glasgow’s iconic Hug & Pint on Saturday, October 19. How I Won the Culture War marks the third album for this fruitful collaboration that first came together in 2016. Culture War is the result of an obsessively comprehensive writing and recording schedule which led to the creation of the album and the most fully realised work of their careers so far.
How I Won the Culture War is a bold and ambitious rebuke to modern mediocrity, charting personal strife and universal anxiety with an unflinching artistry over its ten remarkable tracks. Challenging the divided discourse of contemporary society, the songs tackle the erosion of empathy from our civic lives – and the forces at work who shape these destructive narratives. It is a polaroid of now, a testament to our fractious times.
Book tickets here
Ross Wilcock always has something amazing up his sleeve whether it’s an open mic or a showcase of Glasgow talent, and his next venture is no exception! Ross is bringing three incredible hit shows from the Free Fringe to The Poetry Club in Glasgow for one day only!
Ross is hosting Stephen Durkan’s Why Am I Doing This, Ross Mcfarlane’s Life Goals of the Millennials, and Laura Thurlow’s River Time! on Sunday, October 20 with tickets on sale now. If you didn’t get a chance to catch these incredible shows in Edinburgh, make sure to go see them at Second Chance Sunday.
Learn more and book tickets here
Join writer Tim Tim Cheng for an evening of poetry to celebrate the launch of The Tattoo Collector on Monday, October 21 at Typewronger Books! Hear Tim Tim read from the collection alongside poetry and readings from Alyson Kissner, Aileen Angsutorn Lees, Patrick Romero McCafferty, Zain Rishi, Raheema Sayed, Medha Singh and Gabrielle Tse.
The Tattoo Collector explores family history, displacement, politics, and protest, and as it moves between East and West uses language to illustrate and interrogate what lies in between. These poems take readers between Hong Kong, Scotland, and London, and unravel the relationship between the body, ecology, and class with precise and haunting tenderness.
Stay up to date with the event here
Curlers Cosy Corner 2nd Birthday
Celebrate the second anniversary of Curlers Cosy Corner hosted by Ross Wilcock on Monday, October 21 at Curlers Rest in Glasgow. It’s going to be a night of poetry and spoken word, speeches, and cake! To keep with the theme of celebration, this month is focused on a positive theme, so bring your poetry about celebrating whether you’re celebrating yourself, life, love, or anything at all!
Find out more here
Open calls for writing & writers
Ink Sweat & Tears intern, Sofía is open for submissions of poetry, prose, reviews, filmpoems, and word & image projects for the last time. The deadline for submissions is October 15. They’re encouraging work from queer, disabled, POC and global majority writers. You can send a submission of no more and no less than 4-6 pieces of poetry or 1-2 short prose/flash fiction pieces. While nothing is sacred – and IS&T considers ‘political/current affairs’ contributions – they do reserve the right to reject any submission they feel is deliberately offensive or actionable. They ONLY accept submissions by email.
Read their submission guidelines for more information or send your work to Sofía at interns@inksweatandtears.co.uk
QMUNICATE Columnist Applications
Calling all Glasgow University students, award-winning in-house student union publication QMUNICATE Magazine is open for applications for columnists. Check out their open call: Are you interested in writing and have something to say? Do you have a specific topic or interest you want to share? Whether you are an experienced writer or this is your first journalistic rendezvous, apply to be one of four monthly columnists for our award winning magazine. No previous experience required, just creativity and good vibes.
Applications close on October 22. Please note - applications are being kept anonymous, so please submit the form with your student number, NOT your name!
Fill out the form here
Nonfiction and Hybrid Submissions
Split/Lip Press is open for submissions of nonfiction and hybrid submissions. Their nonfiction and hybrid book submissions queue is now open and their editor Athena Dixon and her team will be reading your essay collections, your memoirs, and your nonfiction/hybrid book projects from now until their deadline on December 1.
Split/Lip is currently looking for previously unpublished essay collections, memoirs, and nonfiction-hybrid full-length book manuscripts. Individually published pieces within the manuscript are absolutely fine but the book should not have been published as a book before. They want manuscripts that question boundaries from the physical and emotional to the metaphysical and meta-emotional. The team loves to see imaginative essays, autofictions, fictionalized memoirs, lyric essaying, and formal and layout-based experimentation.
Read the submission guidelines here
The Coop is back!
After a sell-out writing group in September, the Chicken Coop Writing Group is back at Lost in Leith Bar & Fermentaria on Tuesday, October 29 for a spooky session ahead of Hallowe’en. We’ll be exploring all things horror with short-story writing, including micro-stories and longer-form storytelling.
Early-bird tickets are now available for paying subscribers, with general sales starting on October 15.
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