Money will be split between a new digital platform to promote UK talent and funds for festival organisers to increase digital capabilities.
The UK Government has pledged £1m to fund two new projects to expand the digital potential of the Edinburgh Festivals.
The biggest combined festivals in the UK attract audiences of nearly five million every year, generating £313m for Scotland’s economy alone.
Last year many shows had to move online due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The 11 festivals in the event portfolio will be able to apply for a share of a new £500,000 fund, which will support virtual solutions to the challenges of commissioning, producing and promoting festival programmes in an increasingly digitised cultural sector.
Another £500,000 will be provided to create a new digital platform that will help national and international buyers and producers search for talent and content from the festivals’ varied programmes.
The funds will be available to Festivals Edinburgh this financial year.
Events with live audiences at limited capacities in Scotland will return no earlier than 17 May, and further details about the planning for this year’s Edinburgh Festivals will be released in due course.
The challenge of moving to a combination of physical and online events, and the increased demand for British virtual cultural content around the globe, revealed the need to expand the Edinburgh Festivals’ digital capabilities as part of the cultural sector’s post-Covid recovery.
The funding for digital improvements should enable more ways for people to virtually access the events across the country, increase opportunities for UK artists and ensure Edinburgh’s landmark events will continue.
Earlier this month, the Edinburgh Fringe Society warned government ministers that it needs a major public funding injection, as it cut staff numbers by a third.
A document submitted to the Scottish Parliament’s Culture Committee called for the artists, venues and companies to receive “longer-term cultural recovery funds” to help rebuild the festival.
The latest funding builds on £100,000 previously awarded to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2018 to better connect UK artists with international producers.
As part of ongoing support for culture in Edinburgh, the UK Government has provided £10m for the Dunard Centre, through the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.
It will be the city’s first dedicated new space for music and the performing arts in 100 years.
Scotland also received £97m from the UK Government’s Culture Recovery Fund to provide support for the nation’s arts and cultural sectors.
UK Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “Edinburgh’s Festivals have long been a springboard for the very best of British talent and a vital part of culture in Scotland and the UK.
“The UK Government’s investment will promote it to a worldwide audience online, helping the UK’s biggest combined festival build back better from the pandemic.”
Iain Stewart, UK Government Minister for Scotland, added: “We know the last 12 months have been difficult for the culture sector, so this funding boost will support organisations to improve their digital capabilities and engage with audiences here in Scotland and further afield.”
Sorcha Carey, chair of Festivals Edinburgh, said: “While live events in Edinburgh will remain the backbone of our world-class festivals, it’s crucial that we enhance our digital operations and so we’re delighted with this incredible support from the UK Government which will help reposition our work, and the work of creatives, across the digital world.”
Source: Insider.co.uk
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