ASSISTANCE will soon to be on the way for many of Scotland's 2000
craftspeople who have been living a hand-to-mouth existence since the
Scottish Development Agency ceased to exist two years ago.
An interim scheme for paying out #300,000 in grants and other services
in the next few weeks through the Scottish Arts Council and the Crafts
Council was announced yesterday by Scottish Secretary Mr Ian Lang.
Mr Lang said the SAC would take the lead in providing support for
crafts in Scotland from April 1 next year when it is devolved to the
Scottish Office from the Whitehall-based Department of National
Heritage.
Although financial assistance had been available through local
enterprise companies and Made in Scotland since the SDA ceased to exist,
many individuals involved in arts-based and creative crafts, who
received only limited help, had been having a difficult time, it was
confirmed by a Scottish Office spokesman.
As a result, the Scottish Secretary decided support for Scotland's
craftspeople should be provided by the SAC
for such things as
start-up grants, awards for individual development, and support for
exhibitions and development projects.
Ms Seona Reid, SAC director, said they would proceed as quickly as
possible to set up a crafts advisory committee and a small crafts
department to offer financial support and advice.
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