Digital Boost for Local Artists and Creatives

Former STV Head of Development, Ramy El-Bergamy will help lead the digital commissions scheme.

Applications are now open for Scene Stirling’s first Digital Commissions scheme.

Five successful local candidates will be awarded a £1500 bursary and receive three month’s expert training to help them transform their creative practice through digital.

Kevin Harrison, Scene Stirling Project Manager, said: “We’d like to hear from established and emerging creative and cultural practitioners who are based in, or are from, Stirling. We’re offering them the chance to gain the digital skills they need to continue their practice and develop their digital presence, helping them to fulfill their professional potential. The scheme will go some way to address the impact of digital exclusion caused by the current COVID-19 pandemic and culminate in a body of digital work that showcases our local talent, placing Stirling firmly on the cultural and global map where it belongs.”

The Digital Commissions Scheme is open to local creative and cultural practitioners with backgrounds in visual arts, theatre, dance, music, screen, creative industries and craft, who are looking to take their work to the next level through digital. This can include, but is not limited to, visual artists, illustrators, designers, photographers, filmmakers, writers, actors, comedians, dancers, musicians and craft makers.

As well as the bursary, the scheme includes a series of professional skills workshops and digital training sessions by industry experts. Running over 3 months, from January to March 2021, the programme will cover topics such as content marketing through storytelling, digital wellbeing and accessibility, running successful digital events and presenting your portfolio online. Each candidate will also be matched with a creative mentor to provide 1-2-1 advice.

Ramy El-Bergamy, former Head of Development at STV and a former Commissioner at Channel 4, is helping lead Scene Stirling’s digital programme. He said: “This is a great opportunity to showcase all the wonderfully diverse creativity here in Stirling and to that end we are particularly keen to hear from underrepresented groups.”

Submissions are open until Monday 30 November 2020 at 5pm. Click here to apply.

As well as the digital commissions scheme, local artists and creatives can apply for Scene Stirling’s microgrants (£500) and open grants (up to £2500) for community projects. Click here for further information and to apply.