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• Half a million pounds will fund a new digital platform to promote UK talent and content to both international and domestic producers

• 拢500,000 will be made available for Festival organisers to increase their digital capabilities

The UK Government will fund two new projects to expand the digital potential of the Edinburgh Festivals with 拢1 million investment, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has announced.

The Edinburgh Festivals are the biggest combined festivals in the UK, attracting audiences of nearly 5 million every year, generating 拢313 million for Scotland鈥檚 economy alone, and providing unparalleled opportunities for artists across the country.

Last year many shows at the Edinburgh Festivals had to move online due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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鈥� digital capabilities as part of the cultural sector鈥檚 post-Covid recovery.

The UK Government is providing 拢1 million in funding for digital improvements that will enable more ways for people to virtually access the events across the country, increase opportunities for UK artists and ensure Edinburgh鈥檚 landmark events will continue to be major contributors to the UK鈥檚 economy and cultural landscape.

The 11 festivals in the Festivals Edinburgh event portfolio will be able to apply for a share of a new 拢500,000 fund which will support innovative virtual solutions to the challenges of commissioning, producing and promoting festival programmes in an increasingly digitised cultural sector. The funding will help encourage collaboration between events and develop hybrid events with live and digital elements.

Another 拢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鈥� hugely varied programmes, which showcase thousands of artists and performers every year, and promote the work of British artists and performers around the world.

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鈥檚 Edinburgh Festivals will be released in due course.

This funding builds on 拢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 拢10 million for the Dunard Centre, through the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal. It will be the city鈥檚 first dedicated new space for music and the performing arts in 100 years. Scotland also received 拢97 million from the UK Government鈥檚 Culture Recovery Fund to provide support for the nation鈥檚 arts and cultural sectors.

Oliver Dowden, Culture Secretary, said:

Edinburgh鈥檚 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鈥檚 investment will promote it to a worldwide audience online, helping the UK鈥檚 biggest combined festival build back better from the pandemic.

Iain Stewart, UK Government Minister for Scotland, said:

Edinburgh is world-famous for its festivals, bringing wider benefits to Scotland鈥檚 economy, tourism and arts sectors. We know the last 12 months have been difficult for the culture sector. This 拢1 million funding boost will support organisations to improve their digital capabilities and engage with audiences here in Scotland and further afield.

This is on top of 拢97 million we provided last year to the Scottish Government to support Scotland鈥檚 arts organisations through the pandemic. Like everyone else, I look forward to our fantastic arts and culture coming back better than ever before, as soon as it is safe to do so.

Sorcha Carey, Chair, Festivals Edinburgh, said:

While live events in Edinburgh will remain the backbone of our world-class festivals, it鈥檚 crucial that we enhance our digital operations and so we鈥檙e delighted with this incredible support from the UK Government which will help reposition our work, and the work of creatives, across the digital world.

Sir James Macmillan, Composer, said:

I鈥檓 delighted and encouraged to see this significant and notable support being given to the Edinburgh Festivals at this crucial point. The arts have been seriously affected by the pandemic and it is wonderful that the UK Government is showing its tangible commitment to culture in Scotland by investing in one of Scotland鈥檚 and Britain鈥檚 most important arts organisations.