New fund to stimulate digital innovation

24 January 2012

A £500,000 fund has been set up to help projects harness digital technologies, connect with wider audiences and explore new ways of working.

The Digital R&D Fund for Scottish Arts and Culture has been set up as a joint venture between Creative Scotland, the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA).

Arts and cultural organisations of all sizes from across Scotland are being asked to work with those with digital expertise to help them understand the potential offered by new technologies and together develop innovative project proposals for submission to the new research fund.

Jackie McKenzie, Head of Innovation Programmes in Scotland for NESTA said: "The rapid development of digital technologies opens up exciting new opportunities for Scotland's world-renowned arts and culture sector to reach new audiences and develop new business models. Through this programme we aim to explore and demonstrate what these opportunities are, and show how technology can benefit the sector."

Applicants will be asked to take part in one of a series of workshops to be held in Perth on 6th March, Glasgow on 14th March and Edinburgh on 16th March to help them collaborate with potential technology partners.  Following these workshops and an online application process, successful applications will be announced in May 2012.

Find out more about how to apply on the NESTA website.

Creative Clyde is delivered in partnership with Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Development International, Clyde Waterfront, Glasgow City Council, Creative Scotland, BBC Scotland, University of Glasgow, SECC and private enterprises.