Lack of visual art on bill 'down to money'

But although he promised it would be making a comeback next year, he admitted the decision was mainly down to money.

And although at pains to praise the festival's public funders for finding almost 600,000 extra for this year, he bemoaned the restrictions he has to work under.

The previous EIF director, Brian McMaster, had steadfastly refused to include visual arts in his programmes, believing they were well catered for in Edinburgh in August. Mr Mills had promised to embrace visual arts in the programme when he was unveiled as the festival's new director two years ago.

Since then there has been growing support from galleries in the capital for the new Edinburgh Art Festival, which promotes August's major exhibitions under the one banner.

Last year's programme saw a series of installations staged in public places around the capital, while the Scottish National Portrait Gallery hosted a celebration of festival veteran Ricky Demarco's work over 60 years.

Mr Mills said: "We have decided to include the visual arts in the programme every second year, for both artistic and financial reasons, but mainly financial. It comes down to resources at the end of the day and we have to streamline what we do because of the costs involved. However, visual arts will definitely be in next year's programme."

No-one from the Edinburgh Art Festival was available for comment yesterday.