The Scottish government has announced a further £16 million funding package to help the country’s culture and events industries recover from the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding will be aimed at supporting freelancers and organisations in the culture and events sectors, as well as Edinburgh’s festivals.
The funding forms part of the government’s wider Omicron support fund for businesses. £12 million will be disbursed by Creative Scotland, while the Museums Recovery Fund and EventScotland will each receive £2 million.
The funding for Creative Scotland will be shared between a hardship fund for freelancers working in creative industries, the cultural organisations recovery fund and Edinburgh festivals. Further details on how Creative Scotland will allocate the funding are set to be announced this week.
The latest package comes after £27 million in funding for the cultural sector, announced by the Scottish government earlier this year. Iain Munro, Chief Executive of Creative Scotland, has said that the new funding would be valuable for organisations and freelancers in the cultural industries that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Munro commented: “We are working quickly to get this funding to those who need it most. Details of how creative freelancers and cultural organisations can apply for the funding will be communicated shortly.”
The SNP’s Neil Gray, MSP and Scotland’s Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, added: “This further £16m in support for the culture events, heritage and creative industries recognises how much we value these sectors which have been among those hit hardest by the pandemic.”
“As we embark on our recovery, cultural activity has a pivotal role to play in reinvigorating our economy and communities as well as promoting individual well-being.”
“Since the beginning of the pandemic the government has announced more than £240 million for culture and events and we are continuing to work closely with these sectors as they rebuild audience confidence.”
