Funding Windfall For Highland Celebrations
Culture Minister Patricia Ferguson today announced ý125,000 for Highland Council to implement 'The Highland Promise', the first project spearheading the development of cultural entitlements across Scotland's local authorities.
This funding boosts £540,000 already earmarked for 'The Highland Promise' by Highland Council and other public sector partners. This is part of a Scotland wide celebration of Highland culture ý Highland 2007.
In January, the Minister outlined plans in the Scottish Parliament to invest an extra £20 million per year from April 2007 to nurture and promote the best creative and cultural talent.
Ms Ferguson proposed a fresh policy of 'cultural rights' for every citizen to access high quality provision and promised to take forward plans on cultural entitlements.
Speaking today ahead of a visit to Ullapool Ms Ferguson said:
"The Highland Promise embodies the aims that I outlined in January, to promote and encourage greater participation in Scotland's cultural life.
"Highland Council will deliver an exciting and diverse programme of activities, offering unique opportunities for young people to become engaged in the distinctive culture of the Highlands."
Alison Magee, Chair of Highland 2007 and Convenor of Highland Council said:
"This additional funding is a fantastic boost for The Highland Promise. Highland 2007 aims to celebrate Highland culture past, present and future and what better way to celebrate the future than through our young people?
"The Highland Promise is a reflection of Highland 2007's commitment to young people and the desire to give them the opportunity to decide what culture means to them. It gives them choices about joining in the celebrations next year and how they feel culture should be represented."
NOTE TO NEWS EDITORS
1. Highland 2007, the year Scotland celebrates Highland culture, is a partnership between three principal funding agencies: The Highland Council, The Scottish Executive and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. So far, that Executive has provided financial support of approximately ý15m for Highland 2007.
It aims to promote the Highlands as a great place to live and to visit through showcasing the unique and special nature of Highland culture. Visit www.highland2007.com for full details.
2. On January 19, 2006 in the Scottish Parliament Culture Minister Patricia Ferguson outlined plans to nurture the best creative and cultural talent, and boost participation, while cutting back on unnecessary bureaucracy.
She said that local authorities in Scotland would be given a new legislative duty to provide entitlements to those in their areas to access cultural activity that reflects the needs and wishes of local people and communities.