Arts and cultural projects which secured match funding through Arts & Business Scotland’s (A&BS) New Arts Sponsorship (NAS) Grants scheme have been celebrated at an event in Glasgow. The annual reception recognises partnerships which have benefitted from match funding through the Scottish Government funded initiative.

You can watch our new showreel which celebrates the New Arts Sponsorship partnerships.

The NAS scheme, which has been running since 2006, acts as an incentive for businesses to sponsor the arts in Scotland and provides match funding for projects which have successfully attracted business sponsorship. At the end of the 2014/15 financial year, Scottish Government investment in the scheme totalled £2,916,508 and during 2015 this figure will exceed the £3 million mark.

A total of 90 applications were received last year with 50 grants being awarded. Festivals, music and theatre benefitted most from the funding and almost half of all awards in 2014/2015 were to projects outside of the central belt, including Shetland, Aberdeenshire, Argyll & Bute, Dumfries & Galloway, Highlands and Renfrewshire. Total investment into the cultural sector in Scotland through the scheme last year was £720,945, which is an increase of £142,655 on the previous year.

Chief Executive of A&BS, David Watt said: “New Arts Sponsorship makes such a vital contribution to Scotland’s cultural offering and every year we are seeing the initiative growing and widening its reach. It’s incredible to think that during 2015 Scottish Government investment will reach £3 million, which is a huge milestone and definitely worth celebrating.”

The reception to celebrate the NAS scheme took place at 200 SVS, Glasgow on Thursday 4th June. The evening was hosted by A&BS chair Sarah Deas with entertainment provided by saxophone quartet, Sax Ecosse. Sax Ecosse perform as part of the The Cottier Chamber Project festival hosted by NAS recipient Daniel’s Beard which received a grant last year as a result of their sponsorship from GV Health Ltd.