Edinburgh’s award-winning poet Sam Buchan-Watts has praised Creative Scotland’s support of artists
By Meggie Williams
Creative organisations in Edinburgh are sharing over £820,000 of National Lottery and Scottish Government funding through Creative Scotland’s ‘Covid-Crisis’ Open Fund awards.
Since the awards were announced in October, 2020, the funding has facilitated the publication of four new books by female authors, a collaborative funk and soul album by James Brown is Annie, and a debut poetry collection from Sam Buchan-Watts.
Chief Executive of Creative Scotland Iain Munro, said: “The Open Fund enables creative organisations to explore different ways of working and helps them adapt and respond to the current circumstances. From researching and developing new work and practices, to exploring safe ways to reach and engage audiences, these projects reflect the resilience, innovation and determination of Scotland’s creative community in the face of extremely challenging circumstances.”
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across the country, distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery.
Munro added: “These awards help sustain the immense value that creativity adds to our lives.”
In October this year Creative Scotland’s Open Fund, “Sustaining Creative Development”, made 51 funding awards, totaling £821,755.
Those who have been successful include Edinburgh’s independent publishers, Polygon, who have received funds to publish four new works from female authors at varying stages in their careers.
Edinburgh-based James Brown is Annie, a “full-fat, calorie-laden, whipped-up funk ‘n’ soul band”, are using the funds to create a collaborative album with award-winning jazz and folk artists.
The album will be produced by platinum-selling Scottish musician Hamish Stuart.
Stuart has previously worked with artists like Sir Paul McCartney and Aretha Franklin, but is perhaps best known as the front-man of Average White Band.
With James Brown is Annie being described by BBC Radio Scotland as “one of Scotland’s best bands” and by STV as “local funk legends”, there is much anticipation surrounding the release of the album featuring eight original tracks written in lockdown.
A representative from the band said: “At a time when musicians’ careers are under serious threat – when access to support and paid work is extremely minimal – Creative Scotland’s investment funding has been nothing short of a God-send. It has energised us, given us something positive to work towards, and reminded us of how valuable we are, as musicians, to wider society.”
Last but not least, award-winning Edinburgh poet, Sam Buchan-Watts, has received funding towards his debut collection Path Through Woods.
The grant has also helped widen the audience for his work by building on relationships with small publishers.
Buchanan-Watts’ poetry draws on personal experience of working with asylum seekers, and the importance of oral histories.
He said: “This funding has made possible the development and completion of my first book-length poetry collection. I am enormously grateful for the work Creative Scotland does to make writers and artists feel valued – especially in a time when many are struggling to stay buoyant, spiritually and materially.”
