Diversity programme
Diversity Programme delivered as part of the Culture and Wellbeing Service was jointly initiated by Creative Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council in 2019. In its early stage, the programme focused on identifying gaps in opportunities benefitting ethnically diverse artists who at the time were considered the least supported group amongst all protected characteristics.
Continued direct engagement with ethnically diverse artists informed the development of a programme of activity, which has since included
- Culture networking events in person and online.
- Communications channels – Culture Edinburgh network email group and Edinburgh’s Ethnically Diverse Artists and Creatives Facebook group
- Funding Opportunities – Diversity and Inclusion Fund awarding grants up to £10k to artists working in collaboration with other artists and organisations. More than 150 lead artists, associate artists and supporting organisations have received project grants totalling half a million investment in the creative sector since 2020.
- Professional development programmes offering more than 40 free training sessions in business and finance management, marketing, fundraising, and wellness.
- Governance and Board Membership Programme developed in partnership with Culture and Business Scotland and Queen Margaret University providing information and practical guidelines surrounding legal, financial and management responsibilities of company directors and trustees while creating board placement opportunities to over 40 artists and creatives since 2020.
- Free access to rehearsal and performance spaces delivered in partnership with multiple arts organisations.
- Paid performance and engagement opportunities hosted by city venues, libraries and parks, including Music Encounters, Live at Libraries, Amplifi and Lates at The City Art Centre featuring local independent artists.
- Edinburgh Multilingual Cultural Guide for Artists and Creatives.
The programme, which is now embedded across all cultural development initiatives, continues to evolve and engage artists and organisations representing different or many protected characteristics in line with the City of Edinburgh Council's Equality and Diversity Framework and Integrated Impact Assessment guidelines.
