Gaelic Arts Funding Boost: 2026-28

Aim

Help us transition from precarious volunteer labour into sustainable community infrastructure so Gaelic can thrive.

Over the last 4 years we have built an inclusive, intergenerational Gaelic cultural space in Edinburgh with almost no financial infrastructure.

What began 20+ years ago as a grassroots events project has now grown into an essential cultural organisation connecting artists, learners, activists, students and communities across Scotland. Although the organisation delivers work valued at roughly £60,000 per year (2023), we currently operate on less than £5,000 in sporadic grant funding - and we need to work towards proper financing.

Run along strongly democratic principles, our success has depended on the efforts of talented younger creatives who are already under-supported in the wider sector and can no longer afford to work with the 'village hall' funding model in Scotland's capital city. The fact is, we aren't just putting on gigs, we are holding together a fragile cultural ecosystem. Living languages are spoken relationally, in person, not just used symbolically or by the privileged, and it is neither equitable nor viable to expect activists to carry all of this without proper support.

The significance of our work is recognised through official partnerships with TRACS and Scottish Storytelling Centre, and recurring collaborations with other major groups such as An Comunn Gàidhealach - but this does not pay our team. We participate in 3 regional council Gaelic working groups and a Creative Scotland network related to traditional culture, standing up for the idea that Gaelic social space is essential - but those networks do not offer structural support.

So Gaelic Arts organising - Bothan Dhùn Èideann - is now at a turning point.

Between now and 2028 we are requesting donations for a modest amount of support on the following:

• Improved payment for our coordination team: programming, translation, strategy, venue liason, advocacy meetings, marketing and funding applications, routine training required for new roles.
  Approx. £3,550
• Establishing ourselves as a CIC with proper governance and professional support
  Approx. £450
• Ensuring full line ups with experienced MCs, regular programming, and Musicians Union rates or equivalent. Approx: £2,555 
• Supporting the return of 'the Highland Annual' and better marketing for member organisations in Edinburgh. Approx: £1,350
• Improving opportunities for writers and visual artists, reviewing our programming approach to include workshops/discussion, and responding to opportunities/requests for events at short notice
  Approx. £2,000

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 3rd July 2026 at 9:58am