The Scottish Government has announced a £2 million
injection into Edinburgh's Festivals over the coming financial
year. The funding forms part of the Government's Expo Fund and will
be shared between the 12 members of Festivals Edinburgh to support
the development of Scottish-based work. Events to benefit from the
cash include Edinburgh's Hogmanay, the International Festival,
Fringe Festival and Book Festival.
Speaking about the £2m package, Faith Liddell, director of
Festivals Edinburgh, said the money would allow directors to create
a "rich portfolio of projects".
Tim Hawkins, general manager of Edinburgh Festival Fringe, added:
"As cities around the world increasingly recognise the value of
setting up and supporting festivals, the Festival Fringe is
grateful to the Government for recognising that this kind of
investment is necessary so it can remain both the leading fringe
festival and the world's largest arts festival."
Since January 2008 Festivals Edinburgh and The Audience Business
have been working in collaboration to develop a unique digital hub for
Edinburgh’s 12 major Festivals.
Festivals Edinburgh leads on the joint strategic development of
Edinburgh’s 12 major Festivals and the digital hub is at the heart of
this new organisation’s marketing strategy and plan which aims to raise
awareness of Edinburgh’s world renowned Festivals nationally and
internationally. The plan focuses on attracting new audiences to
Edinburgh’s Festivals, enhancing the visitors’ Festival’s experience
and maintaining the reputation of Edinburgh’s Festivals as a ‘must
visit’ international cultural experience.