Today Friday 15 May, Culture Minister Michael Russell announced the award of over £1 million to create ‘Made in Scotland’ - a partnership between the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, the Federation of Scottish Theatre and the Scottish Arts Council. It will be a curated showcase of high quality performances to promote Scottish dance and theatre artists to international promoters at the Fringe, the world’s biggest arts festival.
Kath M Mainland, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said:
“We're extremely grateful for the Scottish Government's support of the ‘Made in Scotland’ showcase. We're delighted that this support will provide a platform for Scottish-based performers to present and promote their best work at the Fringe.
“The Fringe is the largest arts festival in the world, and in some respects the largest arts market, and ‘Made in Scotland’ will ensure that Scottish talent has the chance to be seen on the world stage and to take advantage of the international platform the Fringe provides.”
‘Made in Scotland’ will support 12 Scottish based companies at Fringe 2009 who have been chosen by a panel of experts from the performing arts community. The programme represents a mix of established companies and vibrant emerging artists producing theatre, dance and children’s shows in Scotland today. The programme will fund companies directly as well as providing a support services through the Federation of Scottish Theatre and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. ‘Made in Scotland’ also includes an international touring element, allowing successful performances to travel with their productions as a direct result of performing at the Fringe in 2009.
Culture Minister Michael Russell said:
“Expo is about recognising the exceptional creative talent that exists in Scotland and giving it an international platform upon which to excel. Our renowned Edinburgh Festivals are celebrated the world over and Scottish-based artists have so much to offer - that is why so far this year we have awarded over £1.6 million across four festivals with more to follow through the year."
"‘Made in Scotland’ brings a fantastic suite of performances to the Fringe this year. It’s good to see some of our most recognised theatre producers in Scotland involved, including the Traverse, the Citizens Theatre and Scottish Dance Theatre. I am also particularly excited to see radical theatrical experiences – such as the audio journey of Sussurrus from Fire Exit Ltd taking place in the Royal Botanical Gardens, and Grid Iron’s Barflies where the drama unfolds in the company’s local Barony Bar."
“The Fringe brings huge cultural and economic benefits to Scotland, generating £75 million annually. The Scottish Government’s Expo Fund is a signal of the value we place on the Festivals and our commitment to ensuring they flourish into the future."
“It is particularly exciting that ‘Made in Scotland’ comes into being in this year of Homecoming when we will welcome so many people from around the world. Visitors to the Fringe will experience the diversity of theatre and dance being made in Scotland today and I am sure the experience will be truly enlivening.”
‘Made in Scotland’ will include performances by; Tam Dean Burn, Traverse Theatre Company, Fire Exit and David Leddy, Arches Theatre and Nic Green, Dudendance Theatre, Scottish Dance Theatre, The Puppet State Theatre Company, Random Accomplice, Claire Cunningham, Tabula Rasa Dance Company, Citizens’ Theatre Company and Grid Iron Theatre Company.
On news of receiving the award, dancer and choreographer Nic Green said: As a Scottish artist working consistently in the field of radical new performance, I am absolutely thrilled to have received support from the Made In Scotland initiative. Not only will it enable me to complete the Trilogy project I have been developing for two years, it will also provide the means to show this ambitious work (consisting of three parts and a cast of 50 volunteer performers), at the Edinburgh Festival for three weeks with support from The Arches-an amazing opportunity.
Jon Morgan, Interim Director Federation of Scottish Theatre, said:
“FST is delighted to be working with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Scottish Arts Council on the first ever ‘Made in Scotland’. We would also like to express our thanks to the Scottish Government for their support of ‘Made in Scotland’ through the Expo Fund."
“Scotland has a vibrant performing arts scene with a wide range of exciting established and emerging theatre and dance artists. The ‘Made in Scotland’ programme will offer audiences from home and abroad a wonderful taste of some of Scotland’s most thrilling performers. It will also offer Scottish artists a platform to present their work at the world’s biggest international arts festival.”
Jim Tough, Chief Executive, Scottish Arts Council said:
“The Scottish Arts Council is delighted that ‘Made in Scotland’ will provide a spotlight on work from Scottish theatre and dance artists during the extraordinary event which is the Fringe. With performers and promoters from across the world flocking to Edinburgh this is a fantastic opportunity for our artists to make the most of the unique arts event."
“This programme of work which has been made possible by the Scottish Government’s Expo Fund and selected by an expert panel presents a wonderfully mischievous taste of what is being created in Scotland today. I am thrilled that it includes work from daring, independent artists alongside our most established companies and presents work in theatres as well as more unusual spaces.”
All Scottish-based artists and arts organisations are eligible to apply for ‘Made in Scotland’. The Fringe, working together with the Federation of Scottish Theatre, will run a year-round programme consisting of road shows and surgery sessions covering a range of topics including:
How to put on a show at the Fringe
How to sell your show at the Fringe
How to develop international touring after the Fringe
This approach has been developed by the Scottish Government and the Scottish Arts Council in partnership with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in recognition of its status as an un-programmed, open access festival.