THE arts in Scotland, along with historic buildings, are to benefit
under the public expenditure settlement -- a move welcomed by the
Scottish Arts Council chairman, Dr William Brown.
The Arts Council will receive a grant of #24.477m, which represents an
increase of #700,000 on the current award. Historic Scotland building
repair grants have been set for the year at #300,000, which is an
increase to #12m.
This will allow the main construction phase of the new Museum of
Scotland to begin next year.
Dr Brown said: ''Over the past few years, the arts in Scotland have
developed a momentum of excellence, with many individuals and
organisations distinguishing themselves in national and international
arenas.
''Such levels of artistic quality are a valuable asset to the nation,
through securing jobs in the home economy, and enhancing our reputation
abroad.''
The council now intends to draw up a detailed budget plan for
allocation of its 1995/96 grants, with individual grants to SAC funded
organisations announced in early February.
Following the announcement, Sir Hector Monro, Arts and Heritage
Minister at the Scottish Office, said he felt the grants to the arts and
historic buildings had fared well, with good financial settlements.
It was, he said, a commitment by the Government to ensure the arts and
heritage continued to flourish.
Mr Eric Robinson, director of the Scottish Arts Lobby (SALVO), offered
a guarded welcome to the 3% increase, which he said was a form of
''inflation-proofing''.
He said: ''We are extremely relieved, given the freeze imposed on arts
funding last year. The extra #700,000 will basically cover inflation
from last year and for 1995 as well.''
Mr Robinson added that he felt Sir Hector should be congratulated for
wringing the increase out of a Scottish Office hit by overall funding
cuts.
However, SALVO were concerned by reports of a cut in the settlement
for local authority provision of library and museum services.
Mr Robinson said: ''These vital services already face a future of
considerable uncertainty with the reform of local government currently
underway. This is extremely worrying.''
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