Festivals celebrate 70th anniversary with £10m windfall
THE EDINBURGH Festivals will receive a £10m boost over the next five years, the First Minister has announced.
The Scottish Government and City of Edinburgh Council will each provide £5m to fund a new programme to increase the festivals’ contribution to Scotland’s culture and economy.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the funding as the festivals celebrates their 70th anniversary.
The Platforms for Creative Excellence (PLaCE) programme will support innovative programming and skills development opportunities across the capital’s 11 major festivals between 2018 and 2023.
The festivals have pledged to raise a further £5m towards the programme.
Ms Sturgeon said: “Since the founding festivals began 70 years ago, the Edinburgh Festivals have become internationally renowned, attracting audiences from across the globe, generating more than £300m for our economy and supporting more than 6,000 jobs.
“The Scottish Government’s contribution to the PLaCE programme builds on the £19m we’ve provided to the Edinburgh Festivals through the Expo fund since 2008. It will sustain the success of our festivals, cement their international reputation and support growth in our tourism and creative industries.”
The Scottish Government said the funding would prompt a drive to secure more private-sector support, informed by a new Investment Advisory Group made up of representatives of Edinburgh’s banking, commerce, investment and legal sectors.
Sorcha Carey, chairwoman of Festivals Edinburgh, said: “In this 70th anniversary year, we are delighted to see local and national government coming together to create this innovative funding partnership with Edinburgh’s Festivals in line with the shared Thundering Hooves 2.0 strategy, supporting our longterm development and fulfilling the ambition of the city region deal.
“We thank the City of Edinburgh and the Scottish Government for this commitment to build on Scotland’s world-leading cultural assets, that will enable us to create even stronger benefits for city residents and the people of Scotland.”