Future Paisley Cultural Funding Awards 2023-24
Renfrewshire Council · 6 December 2023
Back to Leadership Board — 6 December 2023 and its agenda
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__________________________________________________________________ To: Leadership Board On: December 6, 2023 ________________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive ________________________________________________________________________ Heading: Future Paisley Cultural Funding Awards 2023/24 ________________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary This report provides members with confirmation of the award of Round 13 of the Culture, Heritage, and Events Fund (CHEF) and Round 4 of the Cultural Organisational Development Fund (CODF), approved by the Cultural Recovery and Renewal Fund Panel on November 16. As per agreed delegation, the Head of Marketing and Communications will manage administering the funds. 2. Recommendation It is recommended that the Leadership Board notes the Award of CHEF Round 13 and CODF Round 4 to applicants successful in their funding bids following assessment and recommendations to the Cultural Renewal and Recovery Fund Panel Review Panel. Leadership Board also notes this marks the final rounds of cultural funding as part of the Future Paisley Programme. 3. Background 3.1 Cultural funding programmes are part of a wider programme of targeted interventions designed to maximise the impact of Future Paisley investment. Renfrewshire Council’s Culture, Heritage, and Events Fund (CHEF) was established to develop cultural and heritage activity as part of Paisley’s UK City of Culture bid and continues to support the development and delivery of cultural and heritage projects and events across
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Renfrewshire. Renfrewshire Council’s Cultural Organisations Development Fund is reserved for established or developing organisations based in Renfrewshire that have a cultural and creative purpose. 3.2 As part of the 2023/24 council budget, Renfrewshire Council agreed £200,000 for Round 13 of CHEF, funded through Future Paisley cultural reserves. In addition, £200,000 was identified through the Future Paisley Programme to fund a fourth round of CODF. Grants will fund activity to be delivered within the 2023-24 and 2024-25 financial years. In addition, funding for CHEF Round 13 was enhanced slightly with further £1,100.30 of fall-ins returned to Future Paisley from underspends from previously awarded cultural grants. 3.3 The 2023/24 funding rounds were launched in June and open for applications through summer, with potential applicants offered pre-application advice and support. Applications for both funds closed in September and subject to a rigorous assessment process, followed by recommendations made to the Cultural Renewal and Recovery Fund Panel Review Panel - two elected members Cllr Lisa-Marie Hughes and Cllr Alison Ann-Dowling and Future Paisley Partner Dr Alan McNiven, Chief Executive of Engage Renfrewshire, on November 16. 4. Cultural Funding Awards 4.1 CODF recommendations and award 4.10 CODF Round 4 was for applications from single organisations and was publicised widely via creative, cultural and community networks and social media channels. As in previous rounds, demand was high compared funds available. 15 applications were received with a total value of £265,333.73. 4.11 Prospective applicants were advised to submit an Expression of Interest and attend an advice surgery with OneRen in July or August, prior to applying. Advice surgeries aimed to support organisations, so they were able to submit realistic and well- developed applications that will support their strategic development. Applicants were advised of the following: • Applications that included pathways for young people to develop their skills and careers in the creative industries would be particularly welcomed. • A minimum of 10% of total project budget should be found by the applicant from other funding sources, either in cash or in kind. • Funding would be available for the development of existing posts within the organisation, as well as new posts - if the applicant was able to demonstrate funding would support activity beyond business as usual and would create new capacity within the organisation. • Applicants currently in receipt of a Future Paisley cultural grant from a previous funding round, would not be eligible to make an application for a new grant award if they had not yet met the conditions of the existing grant within the agreed timeframe.
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• The maximum award would be £20,000, for projects to be delivered between December 1st 2023 and March 31st 2025. 4.12 Officers assessed and scored applications against three criteria (and made recommendations to the Panel on that basis): 1. The proposed activity’s fit with the purpose and objectives of the Fund 2. Effective management and governance 3. Financial viability No of applications received 15 Total value of applications received £265,333.73 No of applications recommended for full award 4 No of applications recommended for partial award 2 No of applications recommended for refusal 9 No of ineligible applications 0 Total value of applications recommended for award £94,359.42 4.13 The list of confirmed CODF awards can be found at Appendix 1. 4.2 CHEF recommendations and award 4.20 CHEF Round 13 was publicised widely via creative, cultural and community networks and social media channels and as anticipated, demand was extremely high, compared to funds available. 41 applications were received with a total value of £491,471.26 and one application was subsequently withdrawn as the applicant had secured funding from other sources for their project. This resulted in 40 applications with a total funding request of £481,471.26. 4.21 OneRen ran a series of information sessions about the Fund for prospective applicants during July and August 2023, with one-to-one pre-application support for applicants representing Black and Minority Ethnic Communities. All applicants were able to apply for a maximum award of £20,000, for projects to be delivered between December 1st 2023 - March 31st 2025. 4.22 As part of our commitment to increasing the cultural diversity of activity supported by CHEF, £30,000 of the Fund in Round 13 was ringfenced for applications from individuals, groups and organisations representing Black and Minority Ethnic Communities. Applicants eligible for ringfenced funds were identified through the application and assessment process, with one applicant eligible and their application supported with a grant of £16,604.80. The remaining £13,395.20 was returned to the general pot. The Review Panel agreed officers will collectively look at cultural diversity as an area of shared strategic development. This will be taken forward by Engage Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire Council.
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4.23 Officers from One Ren and Renfrewshire Council, and three external assessors, assessed and scored applications against three criteria and made recommendations to the Panel on that basis, however, more applicants fulfilled the criteria for award, that funds available: 1. The proposed activity’s fit with the purpose and objectives of the Fund 2. Effective management 3. Financial viability. 4.24 Following CODF award recommendations being reviewed by the Panel, a balance of £105,640.58 in the Cultural Organisations Development Fund was confirmed. Given the number of strong applications to CHEF Round 13 which met the Fund criteria but exceeded the value of the Fund, officers presented a further recommendation to the Panel to support those applications through the remaining balance of CODF Round 4. This was agreed. The list of confirmed CHEF awards can be found at Appendix 2. No of applications received 41 Total value of applications received £491,471.26 No of applications withdrawn 1 No of applications recommended for full award 18 No of applications recommended for partial award 4 No of applications recommended for refusal 18 No of ineligible applications 0 Total value of applications recommended for award £264,700.30. Implications of the Report 1. Financial – none 2. HR & Organisational Development – none 3. Community/Council Planning – Council Plan PLACE (Demonstrating that Renfrewshire is a great place to live, work and visit) - delivering Future Paisley, our far-reaching cultural regeneration programme, harnessing the power of the arts, heritage and culture for social and economic change. 4. Legal – none 5. Property/Assets – none 6. Information Technology – none
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7. Equality & Human Rights - The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report 8. Health & Safety – none 9. Procurement – none 10. Risk – none 11. Privacy Impact – none 12. Cosla Policy Position –not applicable Author: Louisa Mahon, Head of Marketing and Communications, T: 0141 618 7546 E: louisa.mahon@renfrewshire.gov.uk
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APPENDIX 1 – CODF AWARD OUTCOME Applicant Project Title Location Amount Requested Amount Recommended Brick Lane Music Academy CIC Ltd Employment of a Music Producer Paisley £19,500.00 £19,202.00 CREATE Paisley CREATE Paisley - Organisational Sustainability and Development Project Paisley, working Renfrewshire wide £20,000.00 £0.00 Creative Renfrewshire Capacity building - growth of paid workforce Renfrewshire wide £16,878.42 £16,878.42 Loud n Proud Studio Supervisor Paisley £20,000.00 £0.00 Outspoken Arts Scotland Ld The Art Department expansion Paisley £20,000.00 £0.00 PACE Theatre Company New Pathways - PACE Organisational Development 2024 Paisley £20,000.00 £0.00 Paisley Opera Organisational capacity building Paisley £19,976.00 £17,979.00 Refractive Scotland CIC Refractive Increasing Network Reach Paisley £20,000.00 £20,000.00 RIG Arts Seedhill Arts Co-ordinator and Assistant (Evolve Seedhill) Seedhill, Paisley / Inverclyde £18,448.80 £0.00 right2dance right2dance Paisley £19,665.00 £0.00 ReMode Renfrewshire CIC ReMode Enterprise Development Paisley £12,755.51 £0.00 Sculpture House Collective Sculpture House Pilot Year Evaluation Report and Business Plan Ferguslie Park, Paisley £9,500.00 £9,500.00 Soundplay Projects Soundplay Projects Operations Manager The organisation is registered with OSCR in Paisley but based in a studio in Uddingston, South Lanarkshire £20,000.00 £0.00 The STAR Project Expand and Develop North Paisley £10,800.00 £10,800.00 StudioFV In House Strategic Development for Expansive Community Learning Paisley £17,810.00 £0.00 TOTAL £265,333.73 £94,359.42
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APPENDIX 2 – CHEF ROUND 13 CONFIRMED CHEF AWARDS Applicant Project Title Location Key Development Areas Amount Requested Amount Recommended Andrew Moir Paisley International Tango Festival 2024 Paisley Opportunities for young people; Cultural diversity and bringing communities together; Protected characteristics £7,881.00 £7,881.00 Diane Thornton Gaggle Riverbrae School, Linwood Opportunities for young people; Protected characteristics £9,875.00 £9,875.00 Erskine Arts Erskine Arts Live Erskine and surrounding area Opportunities for young people £9,500.00 £9,500.00 Historical Adventures Ltd BSL Storytelling Renfrewshire - locations to be confirmed Opportunities for young people; Cultural diversity and bringing communities together; Protected characteristics £19,986.50 £19,986.50 Johnstone Band Brass Festival 2024 Johnstone, Linwood and Renfrewshire- wide Opportunities for young people £9,575.00 £9,575.00 Kairos Women+ Skills Café Paisley Opportunities for young people; Cultural diversity and bringing communities together; Protected characteristics £9,941.00 £9,941.00
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Live Music Now Scotland Music to Lift More Spirits Paisley (North Paisley, Foxbar, Ralston), Johnstone, Houston and Renfrew Opportunities for young people; Protected characteristics £9,940.00 £9,940.00 Lochwinnoch Primary School Parent Council Lochwinnoch Primary Community School Play Lochwinnoch Opportunities for young people; Cultural diversity and bringing communities together; Protected characteristics £12,995.00 £12,995.00 Outspoken Arts Scotland Limited The Teardrop Explodes - A Massive Paisley Pattern Project Paisley Opportunities for young people; Cultural diversity and bringing communities together; Protected characteristics £18,825.00 £18,825.00 Pace Youth Theatre The Anything Place Paisley Opportunities for young people £20,000 £20,000 Paisley Opera Orpheus In The Underworld Renfrewshire (specific location tbc) Opportunities for young people £20,000.00 £20,000.00 Peter Gilchrist Scottish Food History Symposium Paisley Cultural diversity and bringing communities together £8,061 £8,061 Project Ability Renfrewshire's Dyers Renfrewshire-wide Opportunities for young people; Cultural diversity and bringing communities together; Protected characteristics £9,970.80 £8,892.00 Refractive Scotland Smiley Revealed Paisley Opportunities for young people; Cultural diversity and bringing communities together; Protected characteristics £12,000.00 £10,000.00
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Richard Muirhead Paisley Takeover 2024 (Year 6) Paisley Opportunities for young people; Cultural diversity and bringing communities together; Protected characteristics £7,465.00 £7,465.00 RIG Arts Seedhill Kids Workshop Paisley Opportunities for young people; Cultural diversity and bringing communities together; Protected characteristics £17,241.00 £12,000.00 Sound Play Projects Soundplay Sensory Sessions Paisley Opportunities for young people; Protected characteristics £10,000.00 £10,000.00 School of African Cultures Afro-Ttire Paisley Paisley Cultural diversity and bringing communities together; Protected characteristics £19,750.00 £16,604.80 Sculpture House Collective Sculpture in Schools Ferguslie, Paisley Opportunities for young people; Cultural diversity and bringing communities together £16,856.00 £16,856.00 Tawyna Selene Renelle Creative Writing & Skills Programme Paisley Opportunities for young people; Cultural diversity and bringing communities together; Protected characteristics £10,275.00 £10,275.00 The Soundsystem Project The Soundsystem Project - Paisley Johnstone, Linwood and Renfrewshire- wide Opportunities for young people; Cultural diversity and bringing communities together £9,650.00 £9,650.00 Waterbaby SCIO Milldale Dance and Circus Skills Ferguslie, Paisley Protected characteristics £5,685.00 £5,685.00 UNSUCCESSFUL CHEF APPLICANTS
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Applicant Project Title Location Amount Requested Braw Talent Home Areas to be confirmed in Renfrewshire, such as Ferguslie Park, Johnstone, Paisley Southeast or North. £9,800.00 Community Circus Paisley A New Home Ferguslie Park, Paisley £20,000.00 Create Paisley Mystery Role Playing Event Renfrewshire-wide £9,650.00 Creative Renfrewshire Gathering Voice Renfrewshire-wide £18,732.00 David Gillanders The Makers Renfrewshire - locations to be determined £8,400.00 Denise Macdonald Creating Connection Part II Renfrewshire – specific locations not stated £6,500.00 Evelyn Laurie Robert Tannahill's Big Birthday Bash Paisley £3,600.00 Indie Intermedia Workshop Programme Paisley and Johnstone £20,000.00 Kickin On Unit 23 workshops and Doon’ the village festival Linwood £9,490.00 Lochwinnoch Community Development Trust Heritage Horizons: Exploring the Past, Painting the Future Lochwinnoch £7,585.00 Loud n Proud Sma Shot Movie Editing Paisley £9,500.00 Paisley Philharmonic Choir Music Support Grant Paisley £2,000.00 Paisley Sinfonia Paisley Sinfonia Paisley and Johnstone £2,000.00 Restoration and Creation Workshops for Various Groups Paisley £20,000.00 right2dance Creative Connections Paisley £12,100.00 Robert Myles Knight Club Renfrew £20,000.00 Shaper Caper Small Town Boys Paisley East £20,000.00 Stravaig Theatre Abstract & Reverie Renfrewshire-wide £6,641.96