Scotland plans formal strategic partnership to support festivals

Scottish Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has promised that government and public bodies will work with the nation’s arts festivals and wider culture sector to “enhance the vital role” of festivals.

In an open letter to the culture sector, Robertson said he has set up a formal Strategic Partnership for Scotland’s Festivals to use “knowledge and expertise” to inform how the sector is supported in the future and said that Creative Scotland and Events Scotland have been invited to participate.

Calling Scotland’s arts festivals the “jewel” in the culture sector and national life, Robertson said: “With the help of the sector, which has already identified many of the necessary next steps, I want to ensure that we are best-supporting festivals. 

“This will include additional Scottish Government funding, which is committed to raise additional annual spending on culture and the arts by £100m by 2028/29, aiming for an increase of £25m next year.”