£100 Million Increase in Scottish Arts Funding

119 Scottish arts organizations were awarded grants by Creative Scotland Photo: Visit Scotland

Creative Scotland, the national development agency for the Scottish arts, screen, and creative industries has announced the 119 beneficiaries of its £100 million ($160 million) funding program, the BBC reported. The successful candidates come from 21 different parts of Scotland, and three out of four successful candidates also operate outside of their home location.

A total of 264 arts organizations throughout Scotland had applied for funding through the open application process. Successful candidates include the Edinburgh International Festival, which received a grant of £6.9 million ($11 million) and the Dundee Repertory Theatre, which received a grant of £3.2 million ($5.1 million).

More modest grants were awarded to the Hebrides Ensemble, which will receive £550,000 ($880,000) and the Barrowland Ballet, which will receive £420,000 ($672,000). Less fortunate failed candidates include the Scottish Youth Theatre and Aberdeen’s Sound Festival.

The chief executive of Creative Scotland, Janet Archer told the BBC that the recipients are “some of Scotland’s most important, innovative, and exciting cultural organizations, producing and presenting great work across craft, dance, film, literature, theatre and visual art,” adding that “Importantly these organizations will also provide significant support for thousands of individual artists and the broader workforce across Scotland’s creative sector.” Archer concluded that “Following a clear and robust decision-making process, the final portfolio includes a mix of organizational scale as well as reflecting Scotland’s social and geographical diversity.”


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