Edinburgh Festivals Expo Funding Announced

The Edinburgh Festivals have received a confirmed sum of £2 m from the Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund to help to create world class pieces and collaborations at Edinburgh’s major festivals, helping home grown Scottish work reach international audiences and fostering international collaborations with local artists.

The Expo fund is shared by Edinburgh’s major festivals, and will be used to fund work such as a Festivals pavilion and a Made in Scotland programme to promote local artists and performers.

Culture minister 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.

"That is exactly why we have continued to invest in Edinburgh's Festivals. Our Expo Fund has produced creative and imaginative projects of the highest quality, many of which are critically acclaimed. It has promoted Scotland's artistic talent and enhanced our reputation internationally.

"This year's funding will enable even more ambitious projects, which will support home-grown talent and stunning creative collaborations, thrilling audiences at home and internationally."

Faith Liddell, the director of Festivals Edinburgh, welcomed the news: Edinburgh's Festivals are a global magnet for visitors and media and an incredible springboard for national and international talent.

"The Scottish Government's belief and continued investment in our Festivals' ambitious programming ensures that Scotland's talents shine brightly when the eyes of the world are on Edinburgh.

"We are enormously grateful for the Scottish Government's Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund, and especially so as we develop exciting projects and initiatives that will keep Edinburgh and Scotland on the map in the Olympic and Commonwealth years of 2012 and 2014."