This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Support for Scottish music industry
27/02/2007
Scotland's music industry is to benefit from extra and better co-ordinated support from the country's enterprise networks, it was announced today.
A key element of this will be a new £500,000 fund - the Scottish Music Futures Fund - to support the music stars of tomorrow. The new fund will be made available across Scotland.
The summit follows on from the Music Industry Summit in October last year and involved the Cross Party Group on Contemporary Music (CPG), representatives of the enterprise networks, Scottish Arts Council, and figures from the Scottish music industry.
Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen said:
"There has been a lot of work done since last year's Music Summit. I am pleased that the sector is now organising itself to speak with one voice and is in a position to express the needs of the industry as a whole.
"I am delighted to confirm that Ministers have listened to that voice. The industry asked us to support the proposed new Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA). Scottish Enterprise (SE) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will now contribute financially to the creation of the new association.
"We will make £500,000 available to administer the new Scottish Music Futures Fund. It will be administered by HIE, who have considerable expertise in supporting the music industry.
"The enterprise networks will also will work alongside the Scottish Arts Council and industry representatives to support the industry to develop its strategy for contemporary music.
"This strategy will require close and detailed discussions with the music industry. This will result in the delivery for the first time in Scotland of a strategy to support the commercial development of the music industry. The Scottish Arts Council and the new SMIA, once it is operational will be involved in the consultation.
"The Scottish contemporary music industry is making its mark internationally and is something of which we should be proud. It is an industry that deserves government backing. I am delighted to give that backing - the fusion of musical talent with business expertise can significantly strengthen our growing industry."
The CPG was formed in 2000 and comprises a broad cross-section of musicians, music industry figures, politicians, education experts and media representatives. The CPG believes that Scotland has the potential to be a world leader in the creation and marketing of contemporary music, and has a big contribution to make to the Scottish economy.