£4.3m investment for home-grown talent

More than £4 million of Edinburgh Festivals Expo funding has been received by Made in Scotland since 2008 to enhance and build Scotland’s reputation as a creative nation.

The curated showcase is part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Investment by the Scottish Government has funded more than 100 shows since the programme launched.

A share of the money also supports onward touring of performances. 2015 presentations ‘The Garden’ was staged in Shanghai in June and ‘The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven’ appeared in Brazil earlier this year, with many more touring across Scotland and the rest of the UK.

Speaking ahead of her speech to a Made in Scotland reception, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop welcomed the world to Edinburgh and reiterated the Scottish Government’s commitment to enhancing festival funding through the Expo Fund. This year’s fund is worth £2 million and more than £17 million of direct investment has been administered since 2008.

Ms Hyslop said:

“Edinburgh’s international reputation as the world’s most prominent festival city is continuing to thrive and the Scottish Government’s £17m investment in the Expo Fund demonstrates our commitment to culture. I recognise and applaud the continued success of ‘Made in Scotland’. It allows artists, from across Scotland, to showcase their work on an international platform which builds their careers and enhances Scotland’s reputation as a creative nation.

“Bringing together a rich array of Scottish-based performers, from across the country, speaks volumes of the breadth and depth of our home grown talent. The work of this year’s programme demonstrates a confidence of our creativity in Scotland and highlights our commitment to diversity, inclusion and equality”

Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Fringe Society, said:

“Scotland has great aspiration, optimism, energy and confidence in its cultural offer. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe provides an ideal outlet for new, emerging and established artists, directors and performers to showcase their outstanding talent. We are delighted that the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund recognises that our Festivals are a unique asset for Scotland.”