Help for arts organisations hit by foot and mouth
17/08/2001
In the wake of the foot-and-mouth epidemic, the Scottish Arts Council today announced it is to provide funds to help restore confidence and rebuild audiences for the arts in the south of Scotland.
Worth a total of £34,000, the grant is made to the South of Scotland Cultural Partnership which is made up of Scottish Borders Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council and Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association.
The foot-and-mouth epidemic has had an undoubted effect on the arts community in the region, with audiences down and numerous events, such as Hawick Summer Festival, cancelled. A key aim of the project is to reinstate a wide range of activities for local audiences to enjoy.
A number of approaches will be adopted to respond to the situation, with a view to stabilising and increasing audiences and creating cross-regional working patterns for the future. There will be extra performances and reduced prices for some events and a new film festival, workshops and ceilidhs are also being planned. Databases of children and adult audiences will be compiled for marketing purposes and regional guides to festivals and galleries and studios printed.
The announcement came from Tessa Jackson, Director of the Scottish Arts Council, at the launch of the annual Langholm and Eskdale Festival of Music and Arts and the start of GaelForce 2001. Both organisations welcome the setting up of the South of Scotland Cultural Partnership and could benefit from the initiative in coming years.
Commenting on the project, Tessa Jackson said: "The Scottish Arts Council is very happy to support this very timely and forward-thinking initiative by the partner members. Although it involves a relatively modest amount of money, it addresses some of the immediate problems faced by arts organisations across the south of Scotland and also aims to provide considerable long-term benefits through on-going events and joint marketing activity."
Primarily, the project is aimed at the local population whose habits of arts attendance and livelihoods have been affected by foot-and-mouth. The partnership will also work closely with area tourist offices, however, to make sure that visitors are targeted by the campaigns.
Iain Macaulay, Arts Development Officer, Scottish Borders Council, said: "In the aftermath of the foot and mouth outbreak, this new funding will make a powerful impact on the arts and cultural scene here. We have a chance now, working together with local organisations, artists, performers and promoters, to revitalise and add to the events calendar - giving local people and visitors more to see and do in the Borders."
Andrew R Campbell, OBE, Convenor, Dumfries and Galloway Council said: "Events such as Gaelforce 2001 and the Langholm & Eskdale Festival of Arts and Music, are an important part of the culture of Dumfries and Galloway. This new funding will encourage more local people as well as tourists to become involved in arts activities."
Councillor Sandra McDowall, Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association said: "With the help of this initiative we can begin to rebuild the arts programme in the South of Scotland. This will bring employment to artists and give local people the chance to come together to enjoy a full range of arts activities once again."
Notes to editors
- Additional funding for the project is being provided by Dumfries and Galloway Council and Scottish Borders Council.
- The Scottish Arts Council's award is made from its National Lottery Audience and Sales Development Scheme.
- GaelForce 2001 is Dumfries and Galloway Council's annual late summer programme of arts and entertainment, which this year has been given an increased budget and extended until 10 November. This year’s programme presents over 140 events spread over the whole of Dumfries and Galloway from Langholm to Portpatrick, and includes a youth festival, dancers from Brittany and Irish poets in formal gardens.
Contact email(s)
media.office@scottisharts.org.uk
Issued by: Scottish Arts Council
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