Listen
£1 million to support Scottish artists
15/05/2009
The world-famous Edinburgh Fringe has received a boost of £1 million over the next two years to showcase Scottish-based dance and theatre artists.
The Scottish Government's Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund has enabled the 'Made in Scotland' programme which will see its first performances presented this August.
An initial £200,000 was provided last year to kick start 'Made in Scotland' and today's funding will continue and expand this showcase opportunity for talented Scottish-based performers to promote their best work to international audiences at the Fringe. 'Made in Scotland' also includes an international touring element, allowing successful performances to travel with their productions as a direct result of performing at the Fringe in 2009.
'Made in Scotland' is a partnership between the Fringe, the Federation of Scottish Theatre and the Scottish Arts Council.
Culture Minister Michael Russell said:
"Expo is about recognising the exceptional creative talent that exists in Scotland and giving it an international platform upon which to excel. Our renowned Edinburgh Festivals are celebrated the world over and Scottish-based artists have so much to offer - that is why so far this year we have awarded over £1.6 million across four festivals with more to follow through the year.
"'Made in Scotland' brings a fantastic suite of performances to the Fringe this year. It's good to see some of our most recognised theatre producers in Scotland involved, including the Traverse, the Citizens Theatre and Scottish Dance Theatre. I am also particularly excited to see radical theatrical experiences - such as the audio journey of Sussurrus from Fire Exit Ltd taking place in the Royal Botanical Gardens, and Grid Iron's Barflies where the drama unfolds in the company's local Barony Bar.
"The Fringe brings huge cultural and economic benefits to Scotland, generating £75 million annually. The Scottish Government's Expo Fund is a signal of the value we place on the Festivals and our commitment to ensuring they flourish into the future.
"It is particularly exciting that 'Made in Scotland' comes into being in this year of Homecoming when we will welcome so many people from around the world. Visitors to the Fringe will experience the diversity of theatre and dance being made in Scotland today and I am sure the experience will be truly enlivening."
Kath M Mainland, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said:
"We're extremely grateful for the Scottish Government's support of the 'Made in Scotland' showcase. We're delighted that this support will provide a platform for Scottish-based performers to present and promote their best work at the Fringe.
"The Fringe is the largest arts festival in the world, and in some respects the largest arts market, and 'Made in Scotland' will ensure that Scottish talent has the chance to be seen on the world stage and to take advantage of the international platform the Fringe provides."
Jim Tough, Chief Executive, Scottish Arts Council said:
"The Scottish Arts Council is delighted that 'Made in Scotland' will provide a spotlight on work from Scottish theatre and dance artists during the extraordinary event which is the Fringe. With performers and promoters from across the world flocking to Edinburgh this is a fantastic opportunity for our artists to make the most of the unique arts event.
"This programme of work which has been made possible by the Scottish Government's Expo Fund and selected by an expert panel presents a wonderfully mischievous taste of what is being created in Scotland today. I am thrilled that it includes work from radical, independent artists alongside our most established companies and presents work in theatres as well as more unusual spaces."
Jon Morgan, Interim Director Federation of Scottish Theatre, said:
"FST is delighted to be working with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Scottish Arts Council on the first ever 'Made in Scotland'. We would also like to express our thanks to the Scottish Government for their support of 'Made in Scotland' through the Expo Fund.
"Scotland has a vibrant performing arts scene with a wide range of exciting established and emerging theatre and dance artists. The 'Made in Scotland' programme will offer audiences from home and abroad a wonderful taste of some of Scotland's most thrilling performers. It will also offer Scottish artists a platform to present their work at the world's biggest international arts festival."
All Scottish-based artists and arts organisations are eligible to apply for 'Made in Scotland'. The Fringe, working together with the Federation of Scottish Theatre, will run a year-round programme consisting of road shows and surgery sessions covering a range of topics including:
- How to put on a show at the Fringe
- How to sell your show at the Fringe
- How to develop international touring after the Fringe
This approach has been developed by the Scottish Government and the Scottish Arts Council in partnership with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in recognition of its status as an un-programmed, open access festival.
Twenty per cent of the £6 million Expo Fund is ring fenced for the Fringe from 2008-09 - 2010-11. £200,000 of this was announced in August 2008 to contribute to the delivery the 09-10 projects. The remaining £1 million will support 'Made in Scotland' this year and further showcases in the next two years.
'Made in Scotland' will:
- Support more Scottish dance and theatre companies to present their best work on an international stage
- Raise the profile of the work of Scottish dance and theatre companies and offer them unique networking opportunities with promoters
- Increase the number and diversity of international promoters coming to see Scottish work at the Fringe through a year-round promoter development programme
- Nurture and encourage international creative dialogue and the development of international collaborations by Scottish dance and theatre companies
- Support international touring opportunities for Scottish dance and theatre companies coming from performances at the Fringe
- Offer a year-round programme of training, support and advice to companies so they can maximise the impact of their appearance in the showcase
The Expo fund is available to all 12 Festivals in Edinburgh to support the development of Scottish-based work. The planned expenditure for the Edinburgh Festival Expo Fund is £6 million over three years (2008-09 to 2011-12).
Funding through the 'Made in Scotland' for individual companies will be distributed through open application through the Scottish Arts Council.