Folk festival awarded £100k funding boost

GLASGOW’S Celtic Connections has been awarded £100,000 of government funding.

The Festivals Expo Fund is designed to promote the development of Scottish artists and performers as well as raise the international profile of the events.

Allocations i nclude £190,000 for the Edinburgh International Festival.

Funding of £550,000 will support the Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s Made in Scotland programme, which showcases Scottish theatre, dance a n d music.

Glasgow’s Celtic Connections has also been awarded £100,000 for the first time.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Over the past 10 years, our Expo Fund has enabled us to invest in the de develo op - ment o f both emerging and established establis artists in Scotland, supporting the creation of new partnerships and collaborations, and enabling artists to tour locally and internationally.

“Through this funding, projects that encourage collaborations between Scotland’s artists and cultural organisations are supported to create new work of local, national and international relevance.”

Lorna Duguid, multi-artform manager at Creative Scotland, added: “The con- tinued support from the Scottish Government Expo Fund is a significant endorsement of the vital contribution festivals make in ensuring Scotland continues to be a distinctive creative nation.

“This funding will enable the creation and presentation of ambitious and innovative work from Scotland’s outstanding talent.”