Scottish Arts Council (SAC) has announced its 2003/4 budget to support Scotland?s arts.
The focus for its £60m fund has been placed firmly on providing additional support for its core-funded arts organisations, and many have been offered either two- or three-year funding contracts. Given that SAC is facing standstill funding from the Scottish Executive, the costs of this move are to be met by reducing the amount of money available for one-off project grants. Only projects that meet both National Lottery funding guidelines and the priorities of SAC?s artform strategies will be selected. Small grant increases will go to three of Scotland?s national companies, but not at a level that will impact on the artistic programmes of these companies. Scottish Opera faces standstill in its core funding, but is eligible to apply for National Lottery funding for appropriate projects. Graham Berry, Director of SAC has described its new funding direction as ?a short term action which cannot be sustained for more than two years but has been necessary in order to meet our priority of sustaining the arts infrastructure.?? SAC?s Chairman James Boyle has been involved in heated correspondence with the Scottish Executive, demanding funding levels sufficient to ?stop the steady decline in theatre? and permit the launch of National Theatre, plans for which have been put on ice.
Published: 10-02-2003