Funding for Scotland's international festivals revealed

Scotland's festivals are to benefit from £2 million of government funding in 2018-19.

The Festivals Expo Fund is designed to promote the development of Scottish artists and performers as well as raise the international profile of the events.

Allocations include £190,000 for the Edinburgh International Festival, which this year will return to the Leith Theatre for the first time in 30 years.

Funding of £550,000 will support the Edinburgh Festival Fringe's Made in Scotland programme, which showcases Scottish theatre, dance and music.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop unveiled the 2018-19 Expo funding (Jane Barlow/PA)
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop unveiled the 2018-19 Expo funding (Jane Barlow/PA)

Glasgow's Celtic Connections has also been awarded £100,000 for the first time.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "Over the past 10 years, our Expo Fund has enabled us to invest in the development of both emerging and established artists in Scotland, supporting the creation of new partnerships and collaborations, and enabling artists to tour locally and internationally.

"Through this funding, projects that encourage collaborations between Scotland's artists and cultural organisations are supported to create new work of local, national and international relevance."

Lorna Duguid, multi-artform manager at Creative Scotland, added: "The continued support from the Scottish Government Expo Fund is a significant endorsement of the vital contribution festivals make in ensuring Scotland continues to be a distinctive creative nation connected to the world.

"This funding will enable the creation and presentation of ambitious and innovative work from Scotland's outstanding talent to audiences at home and abroad."

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