The Scottish Government

This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007

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European Year of Disabled People

03/12/2003

Arts and disability activities are set to benefit from a £40,000 funding package announced today.

Minister for Communities Margaret Curran further marked the European Year of Disabled People by unveiling the money to sponsor arts projects for and by disabled people in Scotland.

The contribution to the Arts & Business Arts & Disability sponsorship scheme is a further allocation on top of £200,000 the Scottish Executive has already contributed for European Year of Disabled People activities in 2003. Arts & Business Scotland are contributing £25,000.

Administered by Arts & Business Scotland in partnership with the Scottish Arts Council, the scheme promotes business sponsorship of organisations to engage with disabled performers, artists and activities.

Ms Curran said:

"Tackling inequalities in our communities is one of our key priorities, and this is an important demonstration of our commitment to support the participation of disabled people in society. This funding complements other measures which we have put in place to ensure disabled people have a full and active role in Scotland.

"The arts can significantly improve the lives of individuals with disabilities, who still face many barriers to engaging with the arts - physical, economic and attitudinal. It is these barriers which exclude disabled people from participating fully, not the particular impairment of any individual.

"Scotlandhas a number of outstanding projects involving disabled people and there are opportunities for many more disabled people to become involved in the arts.

"The European Year of Disabled People is about making sure that everyone has the opportunity to make the most of their talents. And it is about making sure that people with disabilities have an equal chance to live life to the full and be included in all aspects of Scottish life."

Barclay Price, Director of Arts & Business Scotland, added:

"Given the strong interest amongScotland's business sector in corporate social responsibility, this scheme offers business the chance to link to innovative arts and disability projects and make a real difference to the lives of disabled people acrossScotland."

The Minister will tonight host a reception at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) to speak about arts and the European Year of Disabled People.

The reception follows the Scottish Arts Council conference 'Future Perfect? Arts and Disability - A National Conference' The day-long event features Scottish and international performers, discussions, workshops, demonstrations as well as a Video Room all of which emphasise the achievements of disabled artists.

As part of the Executive's commitment to celebrating the European Year of Disabled People, £200,000 has already been earmarked for a range of awareness-raising activities on disability throughout the year. These and other Scottish Executive initiatives are a significant commitment to mainstreaming disability issues and promoting an inclusive society.

The scheme is open to any organisation or agency that has been promised business sponsorship towards arts and disability activity, or has already received business sponsorship for arts and disability activity which is continuing at the time of application. Partnership projects between arts organisations and arts and disability organisations are welcomed.