Arts and Culture Funding
Comhairle Supported Arts Organisations
The Comhairle currently support 5 key Arts organisations via Annual Funding Agreements:
An Lanntair a contemporary arts centre in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum and Arts Centre a contemporary arts and heritage venue in Lochmaddy, North Uist.
Hebridean Celtic Festival an international Celtic Music Festival which takes place in Stornoway over 4 days in July.
Ceolas Uibhist a Gaidhlig cultural, traditional music and dance Summer School/ Events programme held in South Uist in July.
Eilean Dorcha Festival, a music festival which takes place over 2 days in July.
Western Isles Fèisean
Comhairle funding supports seven local Fèisean in the Outer Hebrides to hold week-long Gaelic music, drama and cultural tuition festivals for children and young people.
- Fèis Bharraigh (Opens in a new window or downloads a file) in Barra
- Fèis tir Mhurain (Opens in a new window or downloads a file) in South Uist
- Fèis tir Eorna (Opens in a new window or downloads a file) in North Uist
- Fèis Eilean na Hearadh (Opens in a new window or downloads a file) in Harris
- Fèis Eilean Fhraoich (Opens in a new window or downloads a file) in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
- Fèis an Rubha (Opens in a new window or downloads a file) in Point, Isle of Lewis
- Fèis Taigh Dhonnchaidh (Opens in a new window or downloads a file) in Ness, Isle of Lewis
Visual Artist and Craft Makers Awards #VACMA Scotland
Between 2010 and 2019 the VACMA grants scheme was managed locally by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in partnership with Creative Scotland. The grants were funded by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and supported by Creative Scotland through funding from the National Lottery.
In 2020 – 2021 Visual Artist and Craft Maker Awards #VACMA Scotland, visual artists and craft makers living in the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar local authority area, were invited to apply to the scheme being delivered by High Life Highland in partnership with Creative Scotland.
A summary of grants awarded between 2010 and 2019 to Visual Artists and Craft Makers living in the Outer Hebrides is available to download.
Details of how to apply to the Visual Artists and Craft Makers Awards Scheme in the future are available from Creative Scotland (Opens in a new window or downloads a file)
Sgioba na Gaidhlig
Sgioba na Gaidhligoffer Financial Support for Small Gaelic Projects. Applicants must be properly constituted community groups. Projects must meet one or more of the three Strategic Objectives of the Gaelic Language Plan for the Western Isles 2007-2012:
- To strengthen Gaelic as a language in the family in the Western Isles
- To strengthen Gaelic as a community language in the Western Isles
- To increase the number of Gaelic speakers in the Western Isles
For guidelines and application forms please refer to Financial Support for Small Gaelic Projects.
Business Gateway
Business Gateway can offer support to arts and cultural businesses based in the Outer Hebrides via a range of schemes.
For full details please contact businessgateway@cne-siar.gov.uk or refer to Business Gateway Assistance Available
The Ross and Cromarty Educational Trust Scheme 1961
This scheme awards small grants and bursaries to individuals and community groups based in Lewis. Applications can be made for Arts and Cultural projects. For further details please download the Ross and Cromarty Educational Trust Guidelines (32.3kB) and Application Form (45.0kB) or contact:
Department for Education
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Sandwick Road
Stornoway
HS1 2BW
e-mail: education.resources@cne-siar.gov.uk
Grants To Voluntary Organisations
The Social and Community Services Department operate grant schemes which can support cultural activity. Please refer to Grants To Voluntary Organisations for full details.