NICOLA Sturgeon has announced a £59 million package of support for Scotland’s culture and heritage sector.
The First Minister said the funding would benefit Historic Environment Scotland, provide additional help for freelancers, and support independent cinemas and youth art organisations.
She added the support package will include a £15m Culture Organisations and Venues Recovery Fund, designed to support commercial theatres, galleries, comedy venues, music venues, nightclubs, production facilities and studios and more.
READ MORE: Scottish comedy pleads to Government as it is on ‘brink of collapse’
The First Minister said more information would be made available on how to apply for the support next week via Creative Scotland.
Sturgeon stressed that the culture sector is crucial for our “wellbeing and happiness” as well as our economy.
The First Minister’s announcement comes after Scotland’s oldest full-time comedy venue warned last week that it was on the “brink of collapse”.
The Stand Comedy Club’s Eva Mackay wrote to supporters to say while they had received support from local authorities and the job retention scheme, the help had not “bridged the gap”.
Responding to concerns, Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop said there would be new support announced soon.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel