Cultural Heritage Advice on COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
An overview of sites offering advice and guidance from across the heritage funding landscape and built environment sector.
This information was compiled at a time when it was not always clear where to seek financial support and advice. It was last updated on 22 October 2020.
BEFS has gathered the current information available from funders and organisations into tables below (updated weekly). As the situation changes and develops, the information will likely change. However, this overview of guidance and updates should provide an indication of where to find support for you and your organisation at this challenging time.
- For any medical information please refer to: https://www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus
- For any Scottish Government information please go to: https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/
- Information on CHERF the COVID Historic Environment Resilience Forum can be found here.
Whilst this is an extremely uncertain time for all, do remember that organisations are constantly adjusting to changing circumstances, and they too need time to make sure their advice is accurate and current.
Download a Pdf of the tables here.
If there is relevant information we have not included in the tables below, do please get in contact.
ADVICE FROM FUNDING ORGANISATIONS
| Funding Organisations | Funding Advice | Main Messaging | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stirling City Heritage Trust | Contacting individually. | Continuing projects as much as possible. Contact by email. | @StirlingCHT |
| Visit Scotland Tourism Destination & Sector FINANCIAL SUPPORT PAGE | https://www.visitscotland.org/supporting-your-business/advice/coronavirus/financial-support | Full overview of sector related funding now available on Visit Scotland website. | @VisitScotNews |
| Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) / UK Research & Innovation | https://www.ukri.org/news/coronavirus-impact-on-ukri-supported-research/ | Aware sweeping impacts, reviewing deadlines. Suggesting extensions for deadlines in relation to ongoing work. | @UKRI_News |
| NEW FUND: TNL Community Fund Emerging Futures Fund | https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/emerging-futures-fund#section-2 | Funding organisations to look at how things are changing, what is needed in this transition, and what is possible in the future. Closed 25th JUNE | @TNLComFundScot |
| National Lottery Community Fund | https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/about/coronavirus-updates | Prioritising funding projects and organisations supporting communities. Reviewing the situation on an on-going basis. | @TNLComFundScot |
| The Robertson Trust | https://www.therobertsontrust.org.uk/news-and-blogs/new-2020-30-strategy-launches/ | New Strategy will have a stronger focus on addressing poverty and trauma, their causes and impact. | @RobertsonTrust |
| NEW FUND: Scotland Loves Local (Scotlands Towns Partnership) | Scotland loves local fund page | Open 18th Oct - 5th Nov. The Scotland Loves Local Fund will provide grants of between £500 and £5,000. | @ScotlandsTowns |
| NEW FUND: The Towns and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) Resilience and Recovery Fund | Scotland's Towns Partnership information page | NEW round of funding in SEPT 2020. The Scottish Government announced £2 million of new funding to help town centres and high streets prepare and adapt for the lifting of lockdown, the funding will help finance emergency recovery projects. | @ScotlandsTowns |
| NEW FUND: Smarter Choices, Smarter Places | https://www.pathsforall.org.uk/active-travel/smarter-choices-smarter-places-1/open-fund | Fund to support public, third and community sector organisations. Aims to help cut Scotland's carbon emissions, improve air quality, and help reverse the trend towards sedentary lifestyles and health inequalities. | @pathsforall |
| NEW FUND: MGS COVID19 Adaptation Fund | https://www.museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk/funding/covid-19-adaptation-fund/ | NOW CLOSED. | @MuseumsGalScot |
| Scottish Government Support for Museums and Galleries | https://www.museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk/funding/ | The £4 million Museums Resilience and Recovery Fund provides support for Scotland’s museums and galleries (administered by MGS). The fund will aid the return of staff from furlough and reopening. | |
| Creative Communities from Inspiring Scotland | https://www.inspiringscotland.org.uk/what-we-do/our-funds/creative-communities/ | Applications closed August 12th 2020. | @inspiringsland |
| NEW FUND: Historic Environment Scotland | https://www.historicenvironment.scot/grants-and-funding/our-grants/historic-environment-recovery-fund/ | Open until 2nd November. The £2.6m Historic Environment Recovery Fund support the sector to recover from the impacts of COVID-19. | @HistEnvScot |
| Historic Environment Scotland (HES) | https://www.historicenvironment.scot/grants-and-funding/grants-coronavirus-guidance/ | Sector survey full results: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/about-us/news/covid-19-survey-shows-significant-impact-on-scotland-s-heritage-sector/ | @HistEnvScot |
| Relaunched HERITAGE FUNDING DIRECTORY | www.heritagefundingdirectoryuk.org | Managed by The Heritage Alliance and the Architectural Heritage Fund, a free guide to financial support for anyone undertaking UK heritage projects. | |
| National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) | https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/news/coronavirus-update | Operational, supportive. Surveying to see what can help. Survey results. | @HeritageFundSCO |
| NEW FUND: National Lottery Heritage Fund - Heritage Emergency Fund | https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/funding/heritage-emergency-fund | Applications now closed- fund can now be used to assist with reopening costs, in addition to previous criteria – and you can apply any time up to 31st July. | @HeritageFundSCO |
| NEW FUNDING: Bounce Back Loans (UK GOV) | https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-coronavirus-bounce-back-loan | Businesses can apply for new Bounce Back Loans up to a maximum of £50,000, or 25% of turnover, with the government paying the interest for the first 12 months. | |
| Regeneration Capital Grant Fund - deadline 19/06/2020 | https://www.gov.scot/policies/regeneration/capital-investment/ | https://www.gov.scot/publications/regeneration-capital-grant-fund-2020-call-stage-1---application-form-and-guidance/ | |
| Scottish Government Support for culture and heritage statement | https://www.gov.scot/news/supporting-scottish-culture-and-heritage/ | Statement from 28 Aug 2020 | |
| Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund | https://www.gov.scot/news/lifeline-support-for-performing-arts-venues/ | Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund will help venues who cannot yet reopen to their audiences due to the ongoing impact of coronavirus (COVID-19). Applications now closed. | |
| NEW FUNDING: Hardship and Resilience Funds from Scot Gov | https://www.gov.scot/news/gbp-100m-funds-to-help-business/ | A £100 million package of additional grant support for small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) and newly self-employed people | @scotgoveconomy |
| NEW FINANCE: Scottish Government Emergency Loans for SME Housebuilders | https://www.gov.scot/news/emergency-loan-fund-for-sme-housebuilders/ | Fund now closed. | |
| Glasgow City Heritage Trust (GCHT) | https://www.glasgowheritage.org.uk/grants/ | Grants programme remains open, flexible for current recipients, adaptable to changing circumstances. | @GlasgowHeritage |
| Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CS-IC) | https://www.cs-ic.org/innovationcentre/innovation-support/i-con-recovery-through-innovation/ | i-Con is an initiative created to assist the built environment sector during this global emergency. It provides resources that address challenges faced by the sector to build resilience for a brighter future through innovation. | @CScotIC |
| Creative Scotland | https://www.creativescotland.com/what-we-do/latest-news/archive/2020/10/scottish-government-emergency-funds-update | Update from 1st October overview of Scottish Government Funding delivered through Creative Scotland | @CreativeScots |
| NEW FUND: Culture Organisations and Venues Recovery Fund | www.creativescotland.com/funding/funding-programmes/culture-organisations-and-venues-recovery-fund | Closed 24th September 2020. | @CreativeScots |
| Corra Foundation | https://www.corra.scot/news/work-to-support-charities-and-communities-dealing-with-the-impact-of-coronavirus/ | Maintaining payment processing. Flexibility over timescales and how funding is used. | @corrascot |
| NEW FUND: Charities Aid Foundation Coronavirus Emergency Fund | https://www.cafonline.org/charities/grantmaking/caf-coronavirus-emergency-fund | Fund Closed | @Caf |
| NEW FUND: Art Fund Respond and Reimagining Grants | https://www.artfund.org/supporting-museums/programmes/respond-and-reimagine-grants | New grants aim to help museums, galleries and cultural organisations respond to immediate challenges connected to the Covid-19 crisis. | @artfund |
| Arts & Business Scotland (A&BS) | https://www.aandbscotland.org.uk/ | Signposting to advice and information https://www.aandbscotland.org.uk/covid-19/ | @aandbscotland |
| Third Sector Resilience Fund | https://scvo.org.uk/support/coronavirus/funding/scottish-government/community-recovery | New funding now open | |
| NEW FUND: Wellbeing Fund | https://scvo.org.uk/support/coronavirus/funding/for-organisations/wellbeing-fund | FUND APPLICATIONS currently closed. | @scvotweet |
| SCVO & The Kickstart Scheme | https://scvo.org.uk/jobs/kickstart-scheme | The government’s £2billion Kickstart Scheme will create a 100% funded job, or jobs, for 16-24yrs olds out of work. Any organisation can apply for funding. However if you are employing less than 30 Kickstart roles you need to apply through an intermediary - this can be SCVO. | |
| Scotland's Improvement Districts | https://improvementdistricts.scot/bid-resilience-fund-application-guidance-and-support-email-helpline/ | New funding announced 01/04/2020 | @Scot_IDs |
| NEW FUNDING Garfield Weston Foundation Trust | https://garfieldweston.org/weston-culture-fund/about-the-weston-culture-fund/ | Culture Fund Now Open until 9th November | @WestonFdn |
| Funding Scotland | https://fundingscotland.com/ | Need to create an account to use. Funding search tool from SCVO. | @scvotweet |
| Consolidated Scottish Government Funding Site | https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/ | Consolidated Scottish Government Funding Site | |
| Esmee Fairbairn Foundation | https://esmeefairbairn.org.uk/latest-news/insights-response-covid-19/ | Update: Esmée Fairbairn Foundation made an additional £16 million of funding available this year in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Here is the insights report about what they learned. | @EsmeeFairbairn |
| Perth & Kinross Heritage Trust | http://www.pkht.org.uk/ | Continuing projects as much as possible. Contact by email please. | @PKHeritageTrust |
| Creative Europe | http://www.creativeeuropeuk.eu/news/update-information-creative-europe-and-coronavirus-covid-19 | New Q&A document added. Intention to apply maximum flexibility to beneficiaries. | @CEDUK_Culture |
| NEW FUND: Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) | http://ahfund.org.uk/news-source/scotland2020 | See web page for information. | @ArchHFundScot |
GUIDANCE FROM HERITAGE AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT ORGANISATIONS
Organisational Updates and Information
| Organisation | Organisational Updates | Additional information | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALGAO | https://www.algao.org.uk/ | @ALGAO_UK | |
| NEW All Party Parliamentary Group | https://newsblogsnew.ihbc.org.uk/?p=27664 | IHBC secretariat for APPG on Conservation, People and Places - chaired by Layla Moran MP | |
| Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland | https://www.ahss.org.uk/news/important-update/ | @theAHSS | |
| Architecture & Design Scotland (A&DS) | https://www.ads.org.uk/covid19_update17march/ | @ArcDesSco | |
| Archaeological Market Survey from CIfA, FAME and HES | https://www.archaeologists.net/news/latest-archaeological-market-survey-report-now-available-1594139409 | The 2019 Archaeological Market Survey report, funded by CIfA, FAME, and Historic Environment Scotland is now available. The report again shows record numbers working in archaeology and high levels of invested during the period surveyed. | |
| Archaeology Scotland | https://archaeologyscotland.org.uk/coronavirus-update-office-closure/ | https://archaeologyscotland.org.uk/explore/ | @ArchScot |
| Arts Professional | https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/magazine/covidculture | This section is paywall free. | @ArtsPro |
| Carnegie UK Trust | https://d1ssu070pg2v9i.cloudfront.net/pex/carnegie_uk_trust/2020/07/22155840/LOW-RES-4643-CUKT-Building-Back-for-the-Better-A4.pdf | Building Back for the Better - A Perspective from Carnegie UK Trust | @CarnegieUKTrust |
| Central Scotland Green Network | http://www.centralscotlandgreennetwork.org/news-and-events/news/1369-2020-csgn-forum-postponed | Scottish Conservation Finance Project details. | @csgreennetwork |
| Centre for Towns | https://www.centrefortowns.org/reports/covid-19-and-our-towns/viewdocument | English report on the effect of COVID-19 on towns and cities. | @centrefortowns |
| Cockburn Association | https://www.cockburnassociation.org.uk/ | http://www.cockburnassociation.org.uk/blog/94/41/City-Planning-Functions-and-Covid-19/ | @thecockburn |
| Cultural Policies | https://www.culturalpolicies.net/covid-19/ | The Compendium of Cultural Policies & Trends monitors current developments regarding COVID-19 and the cultural field. | @compendiumcpt |
| Edinburgh World Heritage | https://ewh.org.uk/ | @EdinburghWH | |
| Europeana | https://pro.europeana.eu/post/europe-day-manifesto-cultural-heritage-a-powerful-catalyst-for-the-future-of-europe | European Heritage Alliance launch Manifesto Cultural Heritage: a powerful catalyst for the future of Europe | @EuropeanaEU |
| greenspace scotland | https://www.greenspacescotland.org.uk/news/greenspace-scotland-covid-19-update | Emails to those receiving funding about realistic timescales and supporting delivery where possible. | @greenspacescot |
| Heritage Trust Network | http://www.heritagetrustnetwork.org.uk/covid-19/ | Event postponements | @HTNMembers |
| Historic Environment Scotland (HES) | https://www.historicenvironment.scot/coronavirus/ | NEW - HES 6 month Action Plan HES 6 month Action Plan - https://www.historicenvironment.scot/archives-and-research/publications/publication/?publicationId=a8b8ccfe-def6-4121-826c-ac5900fc20da | @HistEnvScot |
| Historic Religious Buildings Alliance | http://www.hrballiance.org.uk/coronavirus/ | @hrballiance | |
| IHBC | https://ihbconline.co.uk/newsachive/ | @Ihbcscotland | |
| Infrastructure Commission for Scotland | https://infrastructurecommission.scot/storage/274/Phase2_Delivery_Findings_Report.pdf | Phase 2: Delivery Findings Report | @InfraCommScot |
| Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) | https://www.ice.org.uk/news-and-insight/ice-community-blog/april-2020/lets-start-looking-to-the-future | @ice_engineers | |
| Museums Association | https://www.museumsassociation.org/campaigns/advocacy/covid-19/ | @MuseumsAssoc | |
| National Galleries of Scotland | https://www.nationalgalleries.org/ | @NatGalleriesSco | |
| National Museums Scotland | https://www.nms.ac.uk/coronavirus/ | @NtlMuseumsScot | |
| National Trust for Scotland | https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places | https://www.nts.org.uk/stories/our-plans-for-re-opening-properties | @N_T_S |
| OECD | https://www.oecd.org/coronavirus/policy-responses/tourism-policy-responses-to-the-coronavirus-covid-19-6466aa20/ | responding to the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on the tourism economy | @OECD |
| PAS | https://www.pas.org.uk/ | @PAS_tweets | |
| Scotland's Infrastructure Circular Economy Forum | https://aecom.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/SICEF_White-Paper-1_Final1.pdf | First position paper from the Scottish Infrastructure Circular Economy Forum (SICEF). | |
| Scottish Civic Trust | https://www.scottishcivictrust.org.uk/updates-covid-19-planning/ | @scotcivictrust | |
| Scottish Government (Energy and Climate Change Directorate) | https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-climate-change-adaptation-programme-progress-report-2020/ | First annual progress report on Climate Ready Scotland: Scotland's Climate Change Adaptation programme 2019 to 2024. | @GreenerScotland |
| Scottish Heritage Social Media Group | https://scottishheritagesocialmediagroup.com/ | Useful place to connect in relation to Scottish Heritage Organisations and their Social Media presence. | @ScotHeritageSMG |
| SCVO | https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiNDY5YTg2MGItMjg1MC00ZDBkLThlMzYtYjc4MDhhNTJkYTZhIiwidCI6ImMyOTQ5NGY5LTNhY2EtNGE3MS05NWUyLWM4ODBjNWE1ZThmOSIsImMiOjh9 | Scottish Voluntary Sector Statistics - 2020 - useful advocacy tool. | @scvotweet |
| Society of Antiquaries of Scotland | https://www.socantscot.org/uncategorised/our-society-covid-19-response/ | See website for further updates | @socantscot |
| SPAB | https://www.spab.org.uk/whats-on/online-learning | SPAB are hosting regular short CPD webinars, specially designed to help you meet your continuing professional development requirements. | @SPAB1877 |