Arts agency secures grant from cinema fund

SHETLAND Arts has received around £41,000 in funding aimed to bridge the financial gap faced by independently owned cinemas during the coronavirus pandemic.

The fund is delivered through Screen Scotland and the cash comes from the Scottish Government’s independent cinema recovery and resilience fund and the National Lottery.

Shetland Arts, which operates Mareel, said it was “very pleased and thankful” to receive the funding.

“The funding aims to bridge the immediate financial gap faced by independently owned cinemas as a result of Covid-19, will now support cinemas, like Mareel, who can operate in the short-term, within Scottish Government guidelines, and help others towards reopening, when it is safe to do so,” a spokesperson said.

Cabinet secretary for culture Fiona Hyslop said: “Culture is vitally important to all of our lives, and we are determined to do everything within our powers to see the sector through this crisis.

“This fund is part of the ongoing financial support the Scottish Government is making available to the sector.”