Many Scottish arts organisations are to receive no increase in their funding this year, as the extra £1m of unrestricted funding received by SAC from the Scottish Executive for 2004/2005 is targeted at supporting “strategically significant organisations”.
The National Companies will receive increases, including Scottish Ballet, The Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, whose combined increases total more than £300,000. Further cash will go to reinstate a grant to the Edinburgh International Festival, and for crafts development, youth theatre initiatives, international activities and operating costs. Scottish Opera, which is currently undergoing an operational review, will receive no increase in funding. The Scottish Executive will be making a further £1.3m available to SAC in 2005/2006, taking its total annual budget to £74.3m, and SAC intends to distribute next year’s money more widely. Graham Berry, Director of SAC said “Many organisations we support received significant uplifts in grants last year. We have tried to alleviate the standstill grants for the majority in the current year by planning a 3% increase to almost every organisation in 2005/2006.”
Published: 09-02-2004