Sir Sandy Crombie, Chairman, Creative Scotland Board speaking after the Scottish Government unveiled its budget, said: ‘This is a welcome expression of confidence in the contribution that the arts, screen and creative industries will make to securing Scotland’s future success.’

Andrew Dixon, Chief Executive, Creative Scotland, added:

‘This is good news for Scotland’s creative talent. It’s a recognition of Creative Scotland’s potential.

‘Scotland has a strong network of cultural organisations, recognised for the quality of their production and the role they play in growing audiences at home and internationally. Creative Scotland invests in a wide range of organisations: from theatre producers like the Traverse, Tron and Dundee Rep, galleries across the country, film productions, services to promote Scotland as a location, our national youth organisations, internationally-recognised showcases such as Celtic Connections, the country’s vibrant network of festivals, as well as individual artists and filmmakers. We are clear that we want to strengthen our network of foundation organisations.

‘There’s no doubt that many of the partners we work with will face tough choices in the coming months, but our aim is to build relationships that ensure culture and creativity remain a natural part of everyone’s life, wherever they live.  Creative Scotland’s role is to invest in our creative future, bringing new talent into the cultural ecology. New ideas and talented people are essential to a dynamic and healthy creative sector and the Scottish Government’s commitment recognises the vital role that Creative Scotland plays.

‘Scottish Government Edinburgh Festivals Expo funding is significant contributor to the success of our cultural exports: success that we wish to build on. For example, this year’s Made in Scotland programme, which showcased Scottish dance and theatre productions at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, featured work by 14 Scottish companies, seven of which went on to secure major awards: Ankur Art’s production of Roadkill collected an Amnesty International Award, and, alongside Catherine Wheel’s production White, both companies collected Fringe Firsts, Herald Angels, Total Theatre Awards and Stage Acting Awards.

‘Creative Scotland’s investment in Innovation, supported by Scottish Government, has ensured dynamic new collaborations and technology-driven partnerships that will benefit the creative sector as a whole and we will build on these early successes.  We will continue to work hard to realise Scotland’s creative ambitions for both the Cultural Olympiad in 2012 and the Commonwealth Games in 2014. Creative Scotland is currently developing its plan for the coming years, which we aim to unveil in January 2011. This will include a suite of new programmes and will fulfil Creative Scotland’s promise to be a rallying call for the whole creative sector.’

Creative Scotland

Source: Media Office, Creative Scotland