Organisers of a groundbreaking Dundee digital arts festival have said a new funding package will help bring more international artists to the city.
The NEoN (North East of North ) festival, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary in November, was created in 2009 to promote and explore digital and technology-driven art.
Like Creative Dundee, the festival has now been added to Creative Scotland’s list of Regularly Funded Organisations (RFOs), which guarantees it funding for the next three years.
NEoN director Donna Holford Lovell said: “By bringing together emerging talent and well-established artists, NEoN aims to influence and reshape the field of digital arts.
“We seek to create opportunities for collaboration and spontaneity, and push beyond expectations.
“We hope that international artists see NEoN as a place to create their best work and emerging artists are enriched by their connection with the programme and other participants in it. We feel brand new with this amazing news and are looking forward to getting to work on delivering the programme.”
This year is Scotland’s Year of Young People so November’s festival will have the theme “lifespans”.
Full programme details will be announced later in the year but organisers are already in discussions with artists and organisations including Sistema, Blast Theory and renowned artist Heather Dewey Hagborg about taking part.
NEoN co-founder and board member Clare Brennan said: “This funding will allow us to strengthen and deepen relationships with artists and organisations.”
Curator Sarah Cook added: “I am thrilled that NEoN has been recognised by Creative Scotland with this support. It affirms the importance of the festival and the pop-up programme as a platform for experiencing new art and new ideas in the field of digital creativity.
“The three year funding allows us to continue our national and international working, and to increase professional development and competency for artists and curators engaging with the digital sector.”
A total of 116 RFOs will share £99 million of funding from Creative Scotland over the next three years.
Scottish Government culture secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “I welcome the fact that 116 RFOs will benefit from a share of this £99 million fund. These organisations carry out a wide range of excellent work the length and breadth of Scotland.”
