Buoyant figures for Scottish arts companies

Scotland’s five National Performing Companies (NPCs) had a combined turnover of more than £70m over the past two years, according to newly published figures from the Scottish Government. The new report, which covers the first two years of the Scottish Government’s direct funding relationship with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, National Theatre of Scotland, Scottish Ballet, Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Scottish Opera (the five NPCs), highlights that the companies’ earned income from non-public sources, (excluding income from Scottish Government and local authorities) rose 6.5%, from £10.1m in 2007/08 to £10.7m in 2008/09. The NPCs came into a direct funding relationship with the Scottish Government in April 2007, having previously been funded by the Scottish Arts Council. Between 2007/08 and 2008/09 the NPCs gave 1,939 performances and delivered 5,425 education events. They played to audiences of more than one million people, and more than 200,000 people participated in education and outreach events.