A new three-year Creative Scotland funding deal of £388,900 has secured the future of Dumfries and Galloway ‘s Wigtown Book Festival.
The support for Scotland’s National Book Town – which will enable development of year-round programmes – comes after last year’s loss of financial aid from Baillie Gifford.
The £111,800 for year one restores the festival’s public sector funding to pre-Covid 2018 levels – taking into account inflation – with support increasing to £138,550 a year for the following two years.
Chairperson of Wigtown Festival Company, Cathy Agnew, said the new investment is “hugely welcome”.
She said: “It is a relief to know not only that this year’s event can go ahead as planned, but that we can continue to serve audiences, offer a resource for hundreds of authors each year, continue our work with young readers and writers, and help to develop Scotland’s National Book Town as a thriving tourist destination.”
It also offers stability in the wake of the pandemic, cost-of-living crisis and last year’s end to Baillie Gifford’s sponsorship after 14 years, which followed pressure from climate change protestors over the Edinburgh firm’s holdings in fossil fuels and in companies relating to Israel
The business described any suggestion that it had significant holdings in Occupied Palestinian Territories as “offensively misleading”.
And they claimed that only two per cent of its clients’ investments relate to fossil fuels – compared to an average of 11 per cent for similar firms – pointing to its strong record on investing in renewables.
Celebrating the new funding, Ms Agnew also said: “Wigtown Book Festival was recently named Scotland’s Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival in the national tourism awards, The Thistle Awards.
“It is one of the most vibrant, colourful and best loved events of its kind but more than that, it is fundamental to the success of Wigtown as Scotland’s National Book Town and to the regional economy.
Wigtown Book Festival, which supports 52 jobs, was established more than a quarter of a century ago as a central part of an ambitious economic regeneration programme that has used the power of the arts to revive the fortunes of a remote rural community and its surrounding area.
The 10-day annual event provides a platform for more than 200 writers from Scotland and beyond, directly attracts 8,000 visitors to the town annually and generates £4.4 million for the local economy.
This includes vital work with young readers and writers. Last year, its Big DoG Schools Tour reached 1,700 children.
Creative Scotland has also awarded £293,850 (£97,950 per year) to Upland Arts Development CIC which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
Amy Marletta, Upland’s creative director said it “offers security and stability at a time when the arts have been facing tough times and declining investment”.
She added: “This funding will make a significant difference to the organisation, putting it on a more secure footing and enabling us to continue to make a strong contribution to the creative sector in our rural region.
“Upland is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary year and reflecting on the organisation’s achievement for the arts and artists in Dumfries and Galloway.
“The funding will allow us to deliver on our new business plan and continue to develop and deliver ambitious projects that support and work with artists and makers, whilst providing high quality engagement opportunities that connect a wide range of people and places.”
Uplands Arts Development CIC is responsible for a year-round programme of events and activities, including the annual Spring Fling open studios weekend and the Upland made winter sale of locally made art and crafts.
It also provides mentorship and development support for emerging artists through its Emerge programme, delivers a growing youth programme and collaborates with other organisations locally, nationally and internationally to provide a showcase for the region’s creative community.
In addition, there is £454,380 over three years awarded to Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival; £587,500 to Dumfries-based The Stove Network Ltd; £359,088 for The Glenkens Community and Arts Trust, based at the CatStrand in New Galloway; and £219,891 for the Thornhill-based Cample Line.