US support for festival climbs to new heights

Published on Wednesday 17 March 2010 20:51

A NEW and perhaps surprising logo appears beneath several productions in the Edinburgh International Festival's programme this year: the eagle, with wings of the red, white and blue stars and stripes of the United States Embassy in London.

The embassy and Edinburgh's US Consulate have backed the festival in the past. But from an Ernest Hemingway play, to soloists, dance and theatre companies, to two major American orchestras, American support has hit a new high.

"They saw this as a year to put their support behind it in a more meaningful way than they have in years past," said Christopher Wynn, the festival's director of sponsorship.

Financial support for the festival in uncertain times ranges from the Scottish Government's Expo fund to showcase Scottish work, to the British Council's backing for a programme of festival "Conversations" with artists from Mexican director Claudio Valdes Kuri to pianist Steven Osborne.

Corporate, private and foundation support for the festival this year has brought other new names. Heineken UK, which bought Scottish & Newcastle, is now the official backer of the opening concert, which S&N long sponsored. The backing is part of a three-year deal agreed with S&N.

Brand-new sponsors include the Edinburgh law firm Pinsent Masons, with both cash and in-kind legal services. Among other donors, Standard Life has continued its support, while engineering firm Arup has raised its contributions. Renault continues to provide a festival fleet of cars. The Scotsman is the festival's Media Partner for 2010.

The former pianist and philanthropist Carol Hogel, a hugely important backer of the EIF for years, continues to be a major supporter this year through the Dunard Fund USA, supporting visits by both the Russian National Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra.

The level of foreign government support hit high levels in last year's festival, from Singapore to Romania, but this year the level of foreign funding is lower. A three-year deal with Arts Victoria has helped bring Opera Australia's production of Bliss, but the governments of Latin American countries are not awash with cash to support shows from Mexico or Chile.