Crowdfunding launched for Edinburgh creatives

March 22, 2021 2:57 pm

Creatives in Edinburgh have joined others from all over the country to launch a worldwide funding campaign. In partnership with Crowdfunder this will be a coaching and match funding programme run by Creative Scotland.

Edinburgh creatives include:

INKLINGS, a new non-fiction series from award winning, independent publisher 404 INK.

The eight titles, part of their series of big ideas in compact packages, are designed for the curious reader, looking to learn more on subjects that they may be interested in learning more about, but don’t know where to start.

Laura Jones, co-founder and publisher, 404 Ink: “What a thrill to see our new Inklings series launched with Crowdfunder and the Creative Scotland Crowdmatch initiative! The idea for this series came mid-pandemic when life was looking bleak for so many people and 404 Ink was in hibernation and now that idea has bloomed into a full series of topics that are vital, timely, and insightful, we can’t wait to get the books into people’s hands. We’re honoured to be working with such talented writers who are trusting us with their words and experiences – we hope we can do them justice and that this campaign will launch the Inklings with the fanfare it deserves.”

ReStyler a brand-new and sustainable garment restyling alteration service from award-winning social enterprise Remode Collective. Award-winning social enterprise Remode Collective are crowdfunding ReStyler, a brand-new and sustainable garment restyling alteration and mending service in Edinburgh. Find out more: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/restyler
Ink on Mesh, a community print, and textiles studio facility offering fully equipped studio space from contemporary textiles brand Blessed Unrest. Contemporary textiles brand Blessed Unrest is crowdfunding Ink on Mesh, a community print, and textiles studio facility offering fully equipped studio space, a wide range of classes and expert technical support to its community. Find out more: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/ink-on-mesh

Lorna Brown of Blessed Unrest commented: “With the support of Creative Scotland Crowdmatch and Crowdfunder UK I’m looking to achieve my dream of establishing INK on MESH in the heart of my local community. The studio will allow me to continue to develop my own textiles brand as well as providing invaluable space and specialized equipment for developing, emerging and graduate textile practitioners. I know just how challenging it is to pursue your professional career as a textile graduate without access to screens, studio space and the support networks that college life offers”.

songwriter Amy Duncan is fundraising for her new album ‘Cocoon’which was written during lockdown. Duncan will be working with percussionist Guy Nicolson and co producer Cameron Malcolm to record the album. Find out more: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/amy-duncan-cocoon

Amy Duncan said: “I am so happy to have this opportunity to take part in the Creative Scotland Crowdmatch and am really looking forward to sharing my music with the community. The songs on Cocoon were written in 2020 and I hope that the album will resonate widely with people through the shared experience of being in lockdown.”

Rowanbank Environmental Arts & Education CIC is fundraising to develop an original outdoor circus & theatre show, ‘Positive Imaginings’, that engages children with the issue of climate change and how it is linked to our connection with the natural world, amongst others. Rowanbank Environmental Arts & Education CIC is fundraising to develop an original outdoor circus & theatre show, ‘Positive Imaginings’, that engages children with the issue of climate change and how it is linked to our connection with the natural world. Find out more: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/rowanbank

Rowanbank Environmental Arts & Education commented: “2021 is the year we must address the climate emergency. Coming out of COVID-19 we have an opportunity to create a new way of living. Scotland is hosting COP26 this year, the most important meeting on climate change since 2015 when the Paris agreement was drawn up. This project aims to both educate and give a voice to children creating a sense of agency and hope for their future.”

Working alongside the Creative Scotland Crowdmatch programme and the coaching it offers all of the above have been building their campaigns over the last month. The idea is to raise at least £1,000 from 30 supporters and then each project will receive match funding from the National Lottery through Creative Scotland. There is the potential to obtain further funding up to £10,000 until the total sum of £75,000 is allocated.

Jason Nuttall, Programme Director at Crowdfunder said: “Working with Creative Scotland in 2020 was a very positive experience so we’re pleased to be collaborating once again on what is shaping up another fantastic round of crowdfunding.

“We had a huge response to this year’s call for entry, with an amazing range of ideas submitted for big and small creative projects across Scotland. Throughout the COVID crisis we have worked with thousands of organisations, so we know that crowdfunding has many positive benefits, even during tough times.

“Good luck to all the entrants, we’re looking forward to sharing the highs, lows, and surprises over the coming weeks.

Jackie Stewart, Creative Industries Officer, Creative Scotland said: “We’re delighted to continue working with Crowdfunder to help more creative businesses in Scotland gain a deeper understanding of crowdfunding by giving them the coaching and tools to launch their own campaigns. This is a fantastic opportunity for the projects selected to grow their networks, increase awareness of their work and build stronger connections with their customers and audiences.

“The arts and creative industries have been hit hard by the consequences of the pandemic and crowdfunding offers creative individuals and businesses a viable way to generate the income required for creative projects and to sustain and grow a business.

“Thanks to the generosity of National Lottery players, who raise £30 million for good causes across the UK every week these creative projects will be supported to deliver a fantastic range of work.”