The Scottish Highlands is being recognised for its success in generating outstanding arts and business collaborations at a reception. Arts & Business Scotland (A&BS) is hosting its annual New Arts Sponsorship (NAS) reception at the Hub, Edinburgh to celebrate the Scottish Government funded grant 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.”

Of the 54 awards made in the last year, four of these went to arts projects in the Scottish Highlands including Eden Court, the Mahler Players, Moray Walking Festival and Northern Roots Festival. Investment through the scheme to the arts in the Scottish Highlands last year totalled £23,718.

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. The Scottish Highlands has been particularly successful in securing funding through the scheme and it is testament to the passion within the region for the arts that four projects were able to receive additional support in this way.”

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.