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New support has been made available for the Scots language and voluntary traditional arts sectors following a meeting of the Joint Board of Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen.
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A number of Scots language and traditional arts organisations were unsuccessful in our latest round of flexible funding for 2009-11. These decisions were made in the context of an extremely competitive funding round where it was only possible to support 63 out of 106 applications. The Board became aware of the strategic issues that arose as a result of this funding round and has now agreed the following funding. |
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The Scots Language Centre and Scottish Language Dictionaries were both unsuccessful in the recent flexible funding round. Following its approval of the flexible funding decisions, the Joint Board has expressed a clear commitment to finding a resolution to the issue of future support for the Scots language.
The Board has committed to funding both organisations for a further six months from April 09. This will allow time for completion of the Scottish Government’s Audit of Scots Language Provision (due to be completed early November 2008), and further discussion on how Scots language will sit within the remit of Creative Scotland.
Three organisations which work within the voluntary traditional arts sector were unsuccessful in the flexible funding round – the Traditional Music and Song Association (TMSA), Scots Music Group (SMG) and Scottish Traditions of Dance Trust (STDT), in addition Voluntary Arts Scotland (VAS) was also unsuccessful.
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At the time of these decisions the board made a commitment to address the strategic issues and impacts on these sectors. The Board has now agreed that each of these organisations will be invited to apply for up to £30,000 in organisational development funding in order to help them to further current plans and adjust to a different funding relationship. |
The Scottish Arts Council has offered to meet with each organisation to discuss their development needs directly with them.
In addition, we have met with representatives of the Traditional Music Forum and agreed that they will propose strategies to develop traditional music for the Joint Board to consider. These will then inform corporate and budget planning for Creative Scotland, funds been set aside to respond to proposals for both traditional music and dance.
This funding package aims to provide stability for the sector. The Scottish Arts Council has played an integral role in the support and development of the Scots language and traditional arts sectors over the years and we continue to support a wide range of traditional arts and Scots Language organisations for example the Celtic Connections Festival, Heb Celt, Fèisean nan Gàidheal and the Association of Scots Literary Studies (ASLS). |