Freelance artists are being adversely affected by cancellation of work during the COVID-19 crisis. As an organisation that is currently working remotely, PSS regular activities – bringing artists together face-to-face – are limited. As a response, they have launched two new forms of support for playwrights during this period:

Bursary & Projects Programme – financial awards of between £500 and £2000 for professional playwrights

Online sessions – online script surgeries and/or meetings for all playwrights

You can still send your scripts to for feedback through the National Script Reading Service. As part of our response to the ongoing situation, THEY have amended their guidelines. So, even if you have already sent a play to us them this year, please feel free to send in your new scripts.

A Play, A Pie and A Pint Script Review Service is still accepting submissions.

They aim to announce our Playwriting Programme (Mentoring, New Playwrights Awards, Professional Workshop Programme) for 2020/21 in the summer as usual.

Creative Scotland Bridging Bursary
Creative Scotland have now announced a Bridging Bursary Fund. This is a fund for those individual artists and freelancers who have lost income from their creative work and/or practice due to COVID-19. You can seek between £500 and £2500 to help support your immediate needs.

Creative Scotland Open Fund: Sustaining Creative Development
Creative Scotland’s Open Fund: Sustaining Creative Development focuses support on helping individuals, including playwrights, and organisations to sustain themselves. Funding of between £1000 and £50,000 is available.