Scottish culture budget ringfences ‘snow fund’ for the arts

Scotland’s arts organisations are to be compensated by the Scottish Government for extra costs or losses incurred as a result of the severe weather at the end of last year. A total of £362,000 is being allocated from the 2010/11 Culture Budget, £250,000 going to those Creative Scotland Foundation Organisations that had expressed concern over the impact of the recent snow on their businesses. Of the organisations funded directly by the Scottish Government, Royal Scottish National Orchestra will get £10,000, Scottish Ballet £30,000, and Scottish Chamber Orchestra £8,000, to compensate for lost ticket sales and cancellations. National Galleries of Scotland will be given £20,000 towards the cost of keeping premises free of ice and snow.