Scotland’s national arts agency has confirmed £99 million in spending on the cultural sector after an unprecedented intervention by the finance secretary.
Creative Scotland’s roster of organisations that it regularly funds includes world-famous bodies such as the Edinburgh International Festival and less well-known groups including Bodysurf Scotland, a dance company from Findhorn in Moray.
The total figure included an increase of £6.6 million in government support, announced by Derek Mackay in his draft budget, to offset a fall in lottery ticket sales that had threatened to decimate cultural spending.
While the total figure represented “standstill funding” against the 2015 announcement, Janet Archer, the chief executive of Creative Scotland, said that she was pleased with the outcome and welcomed the government’s intervention.
“Regular funding is a highly competitive application process where demand has once again far outstripped available funding,” she said.
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There are 116 regularly funded organisations, 19 of which are new to the roster. These work across craft, dance, literature, music, screen, theatre and visual art. Some will also be able to access a new £2 million touring fund.
Creative Scotland said that it had provided strong support for Gaelic, Scots and “trad” arts. Fèisean nan Gàidheal, which supports the development of community-based Gaelic festivals, received £1.4 million, while Fèis Rois, from Dingwall, received £690,000. Theatre Gu Leòr, a Gaelic production company, received £420,000.
Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland, a national network promoting storytelling, dance and music, received £940,000, a drop of about 25 per cent. The Gaiety Theatre in Ayr lost its regular funding. Glasgow Women’s Library, however, has been granted £360,000, an increase of 20 per cent.
The biggest single award, £6.95 million, was made to the Edinburgh International Festival.
Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre has been awarded £1.5 million towards its refurbishment programme. It will undergo major works to improve accessibility, protect the building’s Victorian features and create a new studio, rehearsal and learning space, café and bar.
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Fiona Hyslop, the culture secretary, announced the £1.5 million Scottish government funding yesterday bringing its total investment in the refurbishment to £4 million. She said: “The Citizens Theatre is of significant architectural importance and has been a much-loved venue in the south of Glasgow for more than 100 years.”
The Category B-listed building opened as His Majesty’s Theatre in 1878. It was also known as the Royal Princesses Theatre until the building was first leased to James Bridie’s Citizens Theatre Company in 1945. The redevelopment project is expected to cost £19.4 million. Other funders include Glasgow city council, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Robertson Trust.
Dominic Hill, artistic director of the theatre, said: “This funding for our Victorian home in the Gorbals is vital to our success.”