RCS launches fully-funded training courses for people within the arts impacted by the global pandemic

Published: 08/04/2021

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS), in partnership with the Scottish Funding Council, is to offer fully funded training courses across a range of specialisms for those working within the performing arts who have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The training courses are available through the National Transition Training Fund and are open to Scottish-domiciled artists, arts managers or administrators who have lost income, been made redundant or become unemployed due to the pandemic. Participants will receive expert tuition from Scotland’s national conservatoire, which was, in March 2021, recognised as one of the world’s top three destinations to study the performing arts by the QS World University Rankings 2021.

A suite of courses will be offered as part of this programme throughout 2021 and courses include Arts Leadership and Fundraising, Sound for Production and Performance Psychology.

All of these specialist courses are credit-rated, allowing participants the opportunity to gain SCQF credits upon successful completion, as well as advancing their skills and confidence to progress forward in the workplace.

Helen McVey, Director of Business Development and Interim Director of Drama, Dance, Production and Film at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, will deliver the first of these credit-rated short courses, Arts Leadership and Fundraising, beginning in April.

She said: “Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on the performing arts and, as Scotland’s national conservatoire, it’s important for us to support people working within the arts at this challenging time. These courses offer vital training opportunities for participants to develop their skillset, grow their experience and hopefully gain new prospects, as well as important SCQF credits.

“We hope to work with people from across all of Scotland, from a range of disciplines and backgrounds. All of the courses have been designed to be delivered flexibly, so we hope as many people as possible will take advantage of these funded places.”

Anyone who is aged 25 and over, lives in Scotland and who has experienced a lack of income or opportunity throughout the Covid-19 pandemic can apply for a place on any of the training courses offered through RCS as part of the National Transition Training Fund.

Apply now for the first of these fully-funded online courses: Arts Leadership and Fundraising which starts on 28 April.