Edinburgh's Festivals Share £2 million Expo Funding

Edinburgh's Festivals will share £2 million from the Scottish Government to showcase Scottish cultural and creative talent.

The Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund, which has provided £6 million over the three years since its inception in 2008, will continue to support "ambitious and innovative" projects for audiences in Scotland and overseas. They will include collaborations between the festivals and with international artists and creators.

The broad goals of the fund are to help maintain the global competitive edge of the festivals, to increase funding available to Scottish-based artists and practitioners, and to encourage creative collaborations.

The largest beneficiaries of the twelve Edinburgh Festivals receiving funding, is the Edinburgh Fringe with £440,000 followed by Edinburgh's Hogmanay with £250,000. At the lower end of the scale, the popular Edinburgh Military Tattoo received £5,000

Minister for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop said: "Edinburgh is the world's premier festival city. That reputation is vitally important for the city and the whole of Scotland. Edinburgh's Festivals attract millions of visitors to Scotland year round from across the globe, making a vital contribution to our economy. We are committed to ensuring they continue to flourish."

Among projects receiving funding this year, is an Art Festival Pavilion showcasing Scottish artists, the Made in Scotland programme showcasing Scottish theatre and dance, a new work from international choreographer Jorma Elo by Scottish Ballet, and development of a Scottish film-makers forum showcasing talent to leading industry professionals from across the globe during the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Ms Hyslop made a photocall at the Scotsman Steps project for the funding announcement yesterday. Commissioned by The Fruitmarket Gallery with support from Scottish Government's Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund for Edinburgh Art Festival, the work involves Martin Creed re-surfacing the Scotsman Steps with different and contrasting marbles from all over the world, creating a visually spectacular, beautiful and thoughtful response to this historic artery.

Creed describes the project as a microcosm of the whole world - stepping on the different marble steps will be like walking through the world, the new staircase dramatising Edinburgh's internationalism and contemporary significance while recognising and respecting its historical importance.

Hyslop said: "This project is an excellent example of what our investment in culture can achieve. A unique collaboration between one of our youngest festivals and Turner Prize winning artist Martin Creed has created a simply stunning lasting legacy to be enjoyed by the people of Edinburgh and Scotland as a whole."

Expo Funding for Edinburgh's Festivals

The allocations to each festival are: