National Lottery and the arts

Investing in the arts infrastructure of Scotland

In the first ten years of the National Lottery the Scottish Arts Council has distributed over £219 million to the arts in Scotland.  Most of Scotland's best known and best loved arts organisations have benefited from the lottery.  Read about examples of lottery-funded projects below and visit the partners area for information on the Lottery-funded artist residency programme.

The arts is one of the National Lottery Good Causes and we distribute lottery funding to the arts in Scotland according to four priorities -

• Making the arts available to those who have few or no opportunities to experience them
• Increasing arts activities for and by children and young people
• Increasing the numbers and broadening the range of people enjoying and taking part in the arts
• Making sure there is a fair geographic spread of buildings and activities throughout Scotland

National Lottery Awards 2010

The National Lottery Awards are an annual search to find the UK's favourite Lottery-funded projects. Visit the National Lottery Awards website and nominate the Lottery project that made the biggest impact on your community.

Lottery and the arts updates 

Inspired Scotland An eight metre high walking puppet, a new creative social network and a new arts, culture and language exchange for children, all kick off in September 2009 as a result of the Scottish Arts Council’s Inspire fund.…read more

Doors Open Day - Take a look around some of the arts and culture buldings opening their doors around Scotland in September 2009…read more

Four new arts buildings - Four new arts building projects in Shetland, Greenock, Aberdeen and Edinburgh have come a stage further with the help of awards totalling £11 million of National Lottery funding from the Scottish Arts Council.

Capital small grants recipients - The Lottery Small Capital Grants Scheme has invested over £465k in its latest round of funding, supporting the capital and infrastructure development of eleven Scottish arts organisations…read more

National Lottery-funded projects

Below are some recent examples of projects funded by the National Lottery through the Scottish Arts Council.  To view others, go to the archive section.  

Golspie Recycling and Environmental Action Network The Golspie Recycling and Environmental Action Network art garden project will increase access to contemporary art for the whole community.

Burghead Headland Trust Moray based visual artist Graeme Roger and sound artist Dave Martin have been working with the Burghead community to document daily life.

Sense Scotland New multi-million pound fully accessible building providing a community resource for disabled people, carers, families and the local community.

Glasgay! 2007 A dash of sparkling celebrities, gothic drama, evocative music and visual arts - one of the coolest festivals of the year! 12 October - 11 November.

Beverley Hood Winner of the 2006/07 Film & Video Award.

For more projects, articles and features relating to the National Lottery, browse through the different sections within Arts in Scotland.

For information on the Investing in Communities fund visit the Big Lottery Fund website.