05 May 2006
Spending on the national performing arts companies in Scotland is to be increased by more than 13% to a total of £22.5m for 2007/08, Culture Minister Patricia Ferguson announced this week.
The additional cash will be shared by the National Theatre of Scotland, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Scottish Ballet, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Scottish Opera.
The biggest increase, £1.2m, goes to Glasgow-based Scottish Ballet, which has been allocated £4.53m. The Executive said this reflected the strides taken by the company to 'deliver the highest standards, garner critical acclaim and reach new audiences'.
Scottish Opera's total allocation of £8.29m is up by £390,000. The Royal Scottish National Orchestra gets £3.77m (up by £820,000); the Scottish Chamber Orchestra £1.85m (up by £190,000) and the National Theatre of Scotland £4.1m (up by £100,000).
Ferguson said the additional funding was part of the extra £20m she announced in January under ambitious plans for Scotland's cultural life. 'Our national performing companies are lauded for the quality of their work, and this additional funding will ensure that they continue to excel and attract new audiences so more people can enjoy their performances,' she added.
The Executive said each company would be expected not just to deliver the highest standards of performance but also to produce efficiency savings, increase outside revenue and to collaborate with the other national performing companies in securing best value.
In a separate funding announcement this week, deprived communities in Scotland will receive £257m in grants between 2006 and 2009. The cash is allocated under the Investing in Communities scheme, which is part of the Big Lottery Fund.
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