Culture and arts charities to benefit from simplified funding model.

Creative Scotland has unveiled a new 10-year plan and a revamed funding process.

The development agency distributes funding from the Scottish Government and the National Lottery to the arts, screen and creative industries across Scotland but came under criticism for its previous funding model.

Our plan is bold and it is vital that we work in partnership with people and organisations across Scotland to deliver its ambition

Many organisations, including arts-based charities, criticised the scheme, which had over 300 streams available for applications, as being too complex.

This has now been cut to just three.

Janet Archer, Creative Scotland’s chief executive, said it is the beginning of a new phase for the public body that brings greater clarity to its role and funding approach.

“Our plan is bold and it is vital that we work in partnership with people and organisations across Scotland to deliver its ambition.”

Those interested in finding out more about the Unlocking Potential Embracing Ambition plan and new funding approach are invited to attend one ofnine information sessions being held across Scotland.

These will run in Inverness, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stornoway, Birnam, Dundee, Lerwick, Aberdeen and Peebles from 24 April.

Meanwhile, Creative Scotland has announced £3.1 million support to help boost youth arts provision across Scotland.

The funding is being announced as part of Scotland’s National Youth Arts Strategy Time To Shine and will be used to create a network of regional Youth Arts Hubs across the country.