The Scottish Government has announced it will continue to support the Arts & Business Scotland New Arts Sponsorship Grants (NASG) scheme with £300,000 each year over the next three years, helping to encourage new business sponsorship and boost further private investment into the arts in Scotland.

The NASG match funding scheme, launched in 2006, has seen over 300 new and returning business investments matched resulting in a total investment of over £4 million to the arts, demonstrating that securing new business sponsorships of the arts is still possible, even in the current climate.

Businesses that have seen their sponsorship packages doubled through the grant scheme range from some of the largest corporations operating in Scotland to sole traders and come from a range of sectors including finance, legal, retail, technology, energy and the creative industries. The arts projects supported have taken place in locations across Scotland from the Western Isles down to Dumfries and Galloway and include a variety of art forms from a giant eight foot puppet to parkour (free running), Scots piping, Japanese animation, opera and magic to name but a few.

Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop said:

“The Scottish Government is committed to strengthening economic growth in Scotland. Our track record in creativity and innovation makes this country an attractive place to invest. The hugely successful New Arts Sponsorship grants scheme has increased private investment in the arts in Scotland and that is why we are continuing our funding. This unique approach to incentivising new arts sponsorship is helping our vibrant cultural sector thrive and flourish, at the same time delivering significant benefits to the organisations involved and the whole of Scotland.”

Barclay Price, Director, Arts & Business Scotland said:

“The continued support for this scheme will provide an invaluable tool for arts organisations in encouraging support from business at a time when all recognise the importance of being more entrepreneurial and self-sustaining. The Scottish Government’s investment over the coming three years underlines its recognition of the value of the arts and the role business plays in assisting sustain Scotland’s vibrant cultural life.”

• Arts & Business Scotland is a registered charity which exists to promote mutually beneficial relationships between business and culture.

• 2011 is Arts & Business Scotland’s 25th anniversary.

• The New Arts Sponsorship grants scheme was launched in 2006, funded by the Scottish Government, run by Arts & Business Scotland and administered in partnership with Creative Scotland.

• The scheme aims to increase the number of businesses sponsoring the arts in Scotland and support cultural organisations in their business development.

• Under the scheme an arts organisation receiving an eligible business sponsorship can apply for an additional amount on a £1 for £1 for basis and the business receives additional sponsorship benefits equal to that amount.

www.artsandbusiness.org.uk

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