Application for Creative Scotland funding

Funding required to launch unique creative hub in the heart of Cupar, home of Matt Hooper Photography and SHANK Media

22 February 2025 - SHANK Media, by Matt Hooper: Tonight I can announce that I have made an application for funding from the Creative Scotland National Lottery Open fund for Individuals to assist me with the launch of Matt's Place, a unique creative hub in the heart of Cupar, and the home of Matt Hooper Photography and SHANK Media.

What is Matt's Place, and why is it vital to the future of SHANK Media and Matt Hooper Photography?

Matt's Place is a planned photography studio, gallery, creative space and cafe which will be home to Matt Hooper Photography and SHANK Media. The photography studio and creative space will be available for other creatives to hire, and the overall space will be used for hosting exhibitions of photography and art, as well as hosting photography talks, art classes and more. Matt's Place also will have a cafe for people to come and enjoy a quiet coffee away from the hustle and bustle of life.

Matt's Place is vital to the future of SHANK Media and Matt Hooper Photography because ever since I launched St Andrews Golf Magazine, 12 years ago, I have been working full time in a variety of hospitality roles alongside building a media platform and my photography business. Matt's Place will enable me to open my photography bookings 7 days a week, having revenue from Matt's Place to fall back on. This also means I will be able to create more content, and be more consistent with my content for SHANK, SHANK World Sport, and SHANK News, as well as putting together THIS IS GOLF and the next edition of EXQUISITE by Matt Hooper Photography.

I will also be able to work on the photobooks which I have aimed to produce over the last couple of years, but haven't had the chance to do due to work commitments.

Matt's Place will be a unique creative hub in the heart of Cupar, and will enable me to connect with other creative individuals in a variety of artistic fields, and be a base for my studio photography. Prior to the launch of Matt's Place I have had to rely upon shooting in a natural landscape with models, or using my personal residence for Boudoir or Portrait photography, which is unsustainable. There isn't another photography studio for hire in this area, and I anticipate demand for it being quite high from photographers in North East Fife, Dundee and maybe further afield.

Services, products and facilities offered at Matt's Place:

• Photography studios

• Creative space

• Gallery and event space

• Café

• Printing and photocopying

• The sale of zines, photobooks, prints and art

What is SHANK Media?

SHANK Media is the umbrella brand of Matt Hooper Photography, which includes SHANK, SHANK World Sport, SHANK News, THIS IS GOLF, EXQUISITE by Matt Hooper Photography, as well as local community Facebook groups This is St Andrews, and Super Cupar. Matt Hooper Photography offers the following products and services:

• Matt Hooper Sports Photography

• Golf by Matt Hooper Photography

• The Original St Andrews Photoshoot Tour

• The Original Dundee Photoshoot Tour

• The Original Edinburgh Photoshoot Tour

• The Original Super Cupar Photoshoot Tour

• Weddings by Matt Hooper Photography

• Boudoir by Matt Hooper Photography

• Beach Shoots with Matt

• And once Matt's Place opens fully, CHARISMA (modelling agency) will go live

What if funding from Creative Scotland is not granted?

I am already looking to apply for alternative grants from other funding bodies across the UK.

A decision on the application is anticipated within 10 weeks (week beginning May 5, 2025).