News / Funding boost for folk fest
SHETLAND’s world famous folk festival is to receive a grant of just over £7,000 from Creative Scotland’s One Step Further programme.
The money comes from a pot of £300,000 the national agency spends on enhancing festivals and events throughout 2012.
Shetland Folk festival spokeswoman Mhari Pottinger said the extra cash was “a fantastic boost” to the event which was run 100 per cent by volunteers.
“We have already noted an increase in visitor numbers in recent years and this investment will potentially help us grow it further, bringing associated social, cultural and economic benefits to our local community,” she said.
This year, the 32nd folk festival takes place between 3rd and 6th of May with at least 14 visiting bands from ten different countries.
Creative Scotland chief executive Andrew Dixon said more than 380 festivals were taking place across Scotland this year.
Local VisitScotland manager Steve Mathieson added: “Here in Shetland our culture is one of our greatest assets and a major draw for visitors – that’s why this programme is so important – it’s providing opportunities for visitors as well as local communities right across Scotland.”
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