Anti-Stigma Arts Fund

Launched in 2021, the Anti-Stigma Arts Fund gave individuals, groups and organisations the chance to apply for funding for arts projects in any medium that aim to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination.

Over the years, artists, makers and creators have used a huge range of different media to challenge stigmatising attitudes and behaviours associated with mental health.

The arts can offer a really powerful platform for people to share their experiences, and show what the reality is for people living with mental health problems.

Launched in 2021, our Anti-Stigma Arts Fund provided an opportunity for people and groups across Scotland to take forward an arts project which aims to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination.

2024 projects

The Anti-Stigma Arts Fund provides grants of up to £5,000 to help organisations and groups deliver projects that tackle the issue of mental health stigma through art. Now in its fourth year, the fund will help create collaborative pieces shaped by participants to highlight different intersections of mental health stigma – and explain what needs to change. This year’s fund has focussed on projects connected to supporting people with experience of poverty, to highlight the overlap with mental health stigma. The following three projects were chosen from 70 applications.

Mindwaves

Find more about the project here

Simon Community

Find more about the project here

Sharpen Her African Women’s Network (SHAWN) and Open Aye

Find more about the project here

Govan Community Project

Find more about the project here

2023 projects

In 2023, we received 73 applications. From those applications, we funded six fantastic projects in 2024. Below you can find out more about projects from the third year of the arts fund.

Beyond the Canvas

Find more about the project here

Monuments for the Present

Find more about the project here

Solace Singers

Find more about the project here

Headspace Showcase

Find more about the project here

Conversational events

Find more about the project here

Slipping Through the Net

Find more about the project here

The 2022 projects

Last year the fund received more than 40 applications from organisations and individuals across Scotland. From these applications, we are delighted to announce we are funding four fantastic projects. Collectively these projects plan to produce a comic, two films and a spoken-word showcase.

Hear Me Out

Find out more about the project and the film A little while longer.

Bazooka Arts

Find out more about the Bazooka Arts project.

SAY Women

Find more about the project by Say Women. This project aimed to engage young women who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse, sexual violence and recent homelessness.

Icebreaker Dundee

Find out more about the project and spoken word performances.

The 2021 projects

In 2021, We received 72 applications from a range of organisations and individuals Scotland-wide, with six projects funded. Below, you can find out more about the first Anti-Stigma Arts Fund cohort.

GIFT

Find more about the project here

Mind Waves

Find more about the Mind Waves project and the films.

Judged

Find more about the project Judged, MECOPP’s forum theatre performance highlighted different ways in which mental health stigma and discrimination is experienced in the Gypsy/Traveller community.

Unblemished

Find more about the Unblemished project and the comic which explored trans people's experiences of mental health stigma in Scotland.

Artlink Central

In Stirling, Artlink Central worked with a group of Chinese students to explore their views and experiences of identity and mental health.