Context

The Scottish Arts Council’s priorities for drama will sustain the areas where there are clear strengths, and provide additional investment to improve artistic standards and give greater access to quality work for audiences.

We aim to build on the growing interest in theatre produced in Scotland from promoters and festivals outside of the UK. Our feasibility study into International Exposure for Scottish Theatre and Dance Artists published in 2007 identified a number of areas where we could help theatre artists to show their work and generate interest from overseas promoters to book it for their theatres or festivals.  We will progress work in a number of these areas in the coming year.

We are also looking at ways of allowing venues and promoters across the country more say in which theatre productions and tours get our support. We are working with colleagues in the sector about how to achieve this. Thirdly, we want to maximise the benefit to artists and audiences through our Foundation Organisations by helping them to work with a wider range of artists and so make the most of their expertise and facilities.

The particular strengths of the sector lie in the areas of new writing, work for children and young people, and a growing interest and success in innovative and cross-disciplinary work. Scottish playwrights enjoy wide international recognition, as does the energetic children’s theatre sector. We will also continue support for the Street Arts sector with a view to linking up with developments related to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Budget The drama budget for 2009/10 is £10.97 million which includes £6.10 million allocated to nine Foundation Organisations.  In addition to the drama budget, the department invests £409,825 in one cross-artform Foundation Organisation. For information about our funding schemes, please visit our Funding section.