Arts projects in Shetland have secured funding for the first time through Arts & Business Scotland’s (A&BS) New Arts Sponsorship (NAS) scheme. Shetland’s success will be recognised at a reception at the Hub, Edinburgh to celebrate the Scottish Government funded scheme.

The NAS scheme acts as an incentive to businesses to sponsor the arts in Scotland and provides match funding for arts projects which have successfully attracted business sponsorship. Scottish Government investment in the NAS scheme has reached £2,574,503 since it began in 2006 with the investment in culture via the scheme now exceeding £6,000,000.

The Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop MSP said: “Arts & Business Scotland have worked hard to forge new relationships between artists and businesses, attracting new fundraising partnerships and on-going sponsorships over many years. The links built between those working in arts and business offers scope for developing exciting and long lasting connections which benefit both sectors.

“The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that everyone in Scotland has an opportunity to access, enjoy and participate in cultural activity and schemes like the New Arts Sponsorship grants scheme help with this.”

Scottish Ensemble and the Shetland Arts Development Agency both secured funding totalling £6,050 last year, which is the first time the region has benefitted from the scheme since it began in 2006.

Chief Executive of A&BS, David Watt said: “It is fantastic to see the reach of the New Arts Sponsorship scheme widening year on year to include an increasing number of projects outside the central belt. We are delighted that Shetland has been included for the first time which is testament to the passion within the Isles to bring arts and cultural events to the local community.

A&BS is combining the NAS reception with the publication of its ambitious, new three-year strategy. The charity, which encourages sustainable relationships between the cultural and commercial sectors, is publishing its 2014-2017 corporate plan which outlines an exciting change in direction.

A&BS has historically been focused on governance and developing fundraising skills and opportunities. While this work will continue as part of its new strategy, the organisation will also place an emphasis on encouraging arts organisations to become more commercially minded without losing their core creative values. It sets out an ambition to advance the sustainability of the arts and promote the efficiency of cultural organisations to bring about enriched, diverse and innovative creative experiences for the people of Scotland.

David Watt added: “This is an ambitious and challenging time for Arts & Business Scotland but one which will no doubt reap huge rewards which will be felt across the cultural and heritage sectors.

“Our vision is for Scotland to be a nation where creativity and culture are at the heart of local communities and we will work to ensure that this continues to be a visible priority of the Scottish Government.”

A reception to celebrate the NAS scheme and launch A&BS’s corporate plan will take place at the Hub, Edinburgh on Wednesday 25th June. The evening will be hosted by A&BS chair Jane Ryder and entertainment will be provided by NAS recipients Absolute Classics and A Band Called Quinn.