Pictured: Laura Wilson, BAM construction; David Watt, Chief Executive Arts and Business Scotland; Fiona Hyslop; Brian Inkster, Inkster Solicitors; Lousie Quinn, Tromolo Productions; (front) Sam Beckett, Y Dance
A pioneering new fund that promotes collaboration between Scottish businesses and arts and heritage organisations to deliver new arts and heritage projects has been launched by Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop MSP.
Evolving from Arts & Business Scotland’s renowned New Arts Sponsorship Grant programme which recently celebrated a decade of success, the Culture & Business Fund Scotland incorporates a new dedicated heritage strand. It also offers projects that have already received grant support, the opportunity to benefit from second and third year sponsorship.
Funded by the SNP Government via Creative Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland, the new fund is managed by Arts & Business Scotland and aims to encourage greater partnership working between business, arts and heritage by match funding private sector sponsorship of arts and heritage activities pound for pound.
Eligible projects can receive grant funding of between £1,000 and £40,000, matched by business sponsorship to the same value. In the inaugural year of the fund, £300,000 will be provided by the SNP Government, while Historic Environment Scotland contribute £36,000 towards developing and raising awareness within the heritage sector.
The new fund is launched as a new public opinion poll shows that a majority of Scots would be more likely to buy goods and services from businesses that support arts and heritage projects in their local area. Commissioned by Arts & Business Scotland, the poll also found 69% agree it is important for businesses to support projects in their community.
Ms Hyslop said:
“I am pleased to announce the transition to this new incentive funding programme which will build on the success of its predecessor, encouraging longer term cultural and business partnerships to benefit Scotland’s wider economy and society.
“The SNP Government is committed to further enhancing Scotland’s contribution to the arts and heritage sector, a key part of Scotland’s culture.”
David Greig, Artistic Director and Joint Chief Executive at The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, added:
“The Lyceum has already benefited from business sponsorship so we know from first-hand experience the huge benefits it can bring. It’s more important than ever that we seek to build positive partnerships with business to help make cultural projects happen.”
Brian Inkster, Founder of Inksters Solicitors, commented:
“Speaking on behalf of a business that has already enjoyed a fruitful partnership with the cultural sector, the spin-off benefits to business of collaborating with the arts and heritage sectors should not be underestimated.” David Watt, Chief Executive of Arts & Business Scotland, said:
"I’m delighted to be able to launch the new Culture & Business Fund Scotland and very grateful to the SNP Government, Creative Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland for their crucial ongoing support.
“We can already look back on more than a decade of success with the New Arts Sponsorship Grants Fund that has delivered so many successful collaborations between arts and business organisations of all sizes throughout Scotland. With a wider scope that takes in our crucially important heritage sector and allowing for second and third year sponsorships, I'm confident that this new fund will deliver even greater success in the years ahead.”
Kenneth Gibson added:
“I am delighted at the establishment of this new fund and would urge businesses in North Ayrshire to explore how they can get involved at: http://www.aandbscotland.org.uk/culture-and-business-fund-scotland/
“On that page it points out that Applicants will be able to complete and submit their applications online via the CBFS website www.culturebusinessfund.scot from the end of April.”
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