Creative Scotland has offered a lifeline to the Scottish Comedy Industry, including 'comedy' in its latest announcement.
A statement today says that culture and heritage sectors are to benefit from a £59 million funding package to protect jobs and help the industry weather the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
A new £15 million Culture Organisations and Venues Recovery Fund will provide critical support to a range of businesses such as art galleries, studio facilities, comedy venues, large music venues, commercial theatres, orchestras, dance companies and nightclubs.
It will "help to reduce the threat of insolvency, protect jobs and create conditions for a more viable and sustainable future for the sector.
The package also includes:
- £5 million to address the immediate financial hardship faced by creative freelancers
- £5 million to support artists to continue developing new creative work that will make a significant contribution to Scotland’s recovery from COVID-19, including £1.5 million for the Culture Collective programme to support organisations employing freelance artists to work in communities across Scotland
- £3.5 million for independent cinemas
- £3 million for youth arts including a funding boost for the Youth Music Initiative which will provide work for musicians
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.
“As extensive as this package of support is, we know there will still be more needed. Culture and heritage are vitally important to all of our lives in Scotland, at this time more than ever. Without significant borrowing powers, there is only so much the Scottish Government can do. I urge the UK Government to consider extending the furlough scheme, to ensure longer term support as we continue to navigate this crisis.”
Iain Munro, Creative Scotland Chief Executive, said: "We very much welcome this significant announcement of much needed emergency support. This follows a great deal of work involving Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government, but also many people and organisations from across Scotland’s cultural community. We appreciate the challenges that everyone working in culture is facing and are pleased to now be able to offer some clarity. Creative Scotland will continue to work at pace to deliver this emergency funding to where it’s needed as quickly as possible.”
This follows a hard-fought appeal for help from venues including the Gilded Balloon, Underbelly, Assembly, Just The Tonic and The Stand. After the announcement The Stand tweeted: "We welcome the news that @ScotGov and @CreativeScots 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. We would like to thank all the comedians and members of the public who have given us their support and we hope to see them all back watching live comedy soon."
Picture: © Bruce Dessau
Background
The culture funds will be delivered through Creative Scotland and follow on from the previously announced £12.5 million Performing Arts Venue Relief Fund and £2.2 million support for Grassroots Music Venues. It comes as part of the £97 million in UK Government consequentials for the culture and heritage sectors.
Creative Scotland are establishing the details of the funds and how they can be accessed. More information will be made available next week.
Funding that has been announced so far to support the culture and heritage sectors includes:
- £10 million funding package for events
- £4 million Museums Recovery and Resilience Fund
- £3.8 million to protect jobs at the National Trust for Scotland
- £12.5 million Performing Arts Venue Relief Fund
- £2.2 million for Grassroots Music Venues
