Comedy to win share of new £ 59m arts rescue package
Comedy has won official recognition after the Scottish Government agreed to hand over another £ 59 million to help the arts and heritage sectors survive the pandemic.
Comedy clubs, cinemas, live music venues, art galleries, dance companies, theatres and nightclubs facing huge financial problems are will get a share of new lifeline support.
Several new funds have been announced in the wake of mounting criticism over why £ 74m from Scotland’s £ 97m share of a £ 1.57 billion rescue arts and heritage rescue package from the UK government had not been allocated.
Some of the biggest names in Scottish comedy, including Frankie Boyle, Kevin Bridges, Janey Godley and Fern Brady, backed a campaign to win support for grassroots clubs and performers.
The Scottish Government said the new funding pots were aimed at helping venues and businesses to stave off the threat of insolvency, protect jobs and plan for reopening.
The £ 59m includes £ 21.3m for heritage agency Historic Scotland, £ 15m for arts organisations and venues, £ 3.5m for independent cinemas, a £ 5m hardship fund for freelance workers in the creative industries and £ 5mto help pay artists to make new work during
the pandemic recovery period and £ 3m for youth arts initiatives. The government had previously announced £ 10m to support the events sector, £ 4m for the museums and galleries sector, £ 3.8m to help prevent the loss of nearly 200 jobs at the National Trust for Scotland, £ 12.5m for performing arts centres, and £ 2.2m for grassroots music venues.
Culture secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “It’s been an extremely trying time for everyone in the culture and heritage sectors over the last few months. The major issues presented by the pandemic are not going away but as we slowly start to reopen, this funding will provide much needed emergency support and aid the recovery.
“We have taken time to work closely with and listen carefully to the sectors, to understand exactly what they need.
“We want to reach as many people as possible and I do believe these funds will make a marked difference in ensuring our culture and heritage sectors not only survive the pandemic but thrive in future.
Katy Koren, artistic director of Gilded Balloon, which had been involved in the Scottish Scottish Comedy campaign, said: “I’m so pleased the First Minister has explicitly mentioned comedy venues as eligible for the venues fund.
“It’s a huge achievement of the Association of Scottish Comedic Arts and all the work we have been doing. However, this is far from the end of the road. Our priority now is making sure the details mean all Scottish comedy clubs can apply and ensuring the freelancers and performer support opens for applications as soon as possible too.”
Stand Comed Club director Eva Mackay said:
“We welcome the news that the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland have listened to our concerns and announced arts funding for comedy venues.
“We look forward to hearing the full details of what will be offered and assurances that a realistic amount will be ringfenced specifically for comedy to save our beloved industry and the hundreds of jobs that rely on it.”