News – Boost for Scottish music industry

A new £500,000 fund is being set up by the Scottish Executive for the support of contemporary music across Scotland. The establishment of the Scottish Music Futures Fund, which will be administered by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), is one of a number of initiatives being taken to help Scotland become a world leader in the creation and marketing of contemporary music, and to increase the contribution made by contemporary music to the Scottish economy.
Central to the plans is the creation of the new Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), which will receive financial backing from both Scottish Enterprise and HIE. Both of these enterprise networks will work alongside the Scottish Arts Council, the SMIA and industry representatives to support the process of developing a strategy for the commercial development of the music industry. Deputy First Minister, Nicol Stephen, said, The Scottish contemporary music industry is making its mark internationally and is something of which we should be proud. It is an industry that deserves government backing. I am delighted to give that backing  the fusion of musical talent with business expertise can significantly strengthen our growing industry.