This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Lottery cash for urban culture
27/07/2004
Culture Minister Frank McAveety has welcomed news that
two Scottish councils have won £1.2 million lottery cash
for innovative 18-month-long urban cultural programmes.
Highland Council will receive £500,000 and South
Lanarkshire will get £700,000 from the Urban Cultural
Programme, a partnership between the Millennium Commission
and Arts Council England. This new initiative builds on
the successful European Capital of Culture 2008 competition
run in 2003 (won by Liverpool) which generated huge support
in all sectors of the community.
Mr McAveety said:
"Congratulations to Highland and South Lanarkshire
Councils for putting together exciting programmes to win
this funding. Our arts are fundamental to Scottish life.
They fire our children's imagination, promote social
inclusion, celebrate our cultural diversity and inspire our
communities
towards excellence in the regeneration of our
cities.
"Highland's programme will lead up to the Year of
Highland Culture in 2007, embracing a range of cultural
activities in Inverness and throughout the Highlands, while
South Lanarkshire's focus will be on exhibitions, festivals
and social inclusion projects."
The Millennium Commission and Arts Council England
announced that £19.5 million of National Lottery money has
been awarded to support cultural programmes across 19 areas
of the UK.
Jim Tough, Deputy Director, Scottish Arts Council
said:
"We are delighted that both Highland and South
Lanarkshire Councils are to receive such substantial boosts
for their cultural programmes. We congratulate the teams
behind both successful bids, which continues and extends
the innovative creative work that both councils have been
developing over recent years."
Highland £500,000
This is an eighteen month programme organised by
Highland Council with activities in Inverness and
throughout the region. The programme of events will include
a traditional music festival with a youth and community
focus; community arts events and touring theatre; a cutting
edge urban centre focused arts festival and a youth arts
development programme leading to a youth performing arts
festival.
South Lanarkshire £700,000
This is an eighteen month programme of events
organised by South Lanarkshire Council. New and
refurbished arts venues in the area will act as a platform
for projects such as Light Up Lanarkshire; Contemporary
Culture Exhibition; Here's Tae Us and other festivals.
Special projects will focus on those most at risk of social
exclusion - children and young people at risk, individuals
with physical disabilities and learning needs.