Edinburgh’s festivals are set to receive the majority of a Scottish Government fund set up to help the arts sector bounce back from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Capital’s leading international events will benefit from almost half of a £2 million pot designed to “improve resilience” among artists across the board following a challenging two years under coronavirus restrictions.
Bosses say the money, made available by the Festival Expo Fund, will help them “invest in and showcase” the talents of creators in the city.
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The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society received the largest allocation at £550,000, with the city's film festival receiving £110,000.
The Edinburgh International Festival was given £110,000 while the Edinburgh Art Festival was given £140,000.
A scaled down version of the International and Fringe festivals took place in August, but still attracted thousands of visitors to a line up of comedy, music and theatre among other events.
The 2020 version previously fell victim to the pandemic, though some performances were streamed online.
The 2022 edition of the Fringe, which will mark 75 years of the festival, is due to kick off on August 5 this year.
Sorcha Carey, chairwoman of Festivals Edinburgh, said: "The welcome news today from the Scottish Government's Festivals Expo Fund opens up a world of opportunity for our country's artists and thinkers, by helping us invest in their talent and showcase their work on our world-renowned platforms.
"After two years of event restrictions and financial hardship for artists, freelancers and cultural organisations, including our festivals, this Expo investment lays a solid foundation for revival in our 75th anniversary year and speaks strongly of Scotland as a creative, outward-looking nation."
Meanwhile, Glasgow International Festival was given £140,000 and Celtic Connections received £110,000.
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Culture Minister, Neil Gray, said: "As many of our world-class festivals return to full operation following the pandemic, the Festivals Expo Fund plays an important role in building innovation across the sector.
"This helps to maximise the opportunities both nationally and internationally for emerging and established creative artists to showcase and tour their work at home and abroad."
