£350k fund puts Scottish culture on world stage

Five Scottish theatre, dance and music companies will perform around the world this year with the help of £350,000 in government funding.

The tours include the National Theatre of Scotland’s visit to Europe, North and South America and Australasia, and Scottish Opera’s third trip to China in a year.

Culture secretary Fiona Hyslop yesterday confirmed a £350,000 International Touring Fund for Scotland’s five national performing companies for tours in 2012-13. Ms Hyslop, who is in New York for Scotland Week, was attending a National Theatre of Scotland Extreme Ceilidh workshop for high school pupils in Brooklyn.

She said: “Scotland is known worldwide as a place of creative and cultural excellence, with our national performing companies attracting international acclaim.

“Their overseas tours showcase Scotland’s creative talent, further enhancing our global reputation.”

NTS will receive £140,000 towards tours of works including Black Watch and Macbeth. The Scottish Chamber Orchestra will receive £75,000 for its tour of Europe this autumn, and Scottish Opera £15,000 for its China visit.