HI~Arts is pleased to announce this year’s Producers Fund. This fund has been jointly established by Highlands & Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Arts Council to provide support for professional theatre companies based in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

The Producers Fund is intended primarily to support companies which are new, or which are undergoing a significant process of change or growth. It is hoped that the fund will assist the growth of such companies at what is seen to be a crucial stage in the development of professional theatre in the area.

As in previous years, grants are available for the creation and touring of a new production and also for the development stages of a new project.

The Guidelines and Application Form are available from the HI~Arts Office or by downloading them from the HI~Arts website www.hi-arts.co.uk . The deadline for applications for this year’s Producers Fund is Monday 1 May 2006.

Applications will be considerd by a Panel including the HI~Arts Director, the Scottish Arts Council (SAC) Drama Officer and a representative of the Highlands & Islands Theatre Network (HITN).

Decisions on Producers Fund awards will be made no later than 12 May 2006.

For further information about the Highlands and Islands Producers Fund, please contact either Maggie Dunlop, Funding Schemes Manager, HI~Arts (01463 720881) or Jaine Lumsden, SAC Drama Officer, 12 Manor Place, Edinburgh, EH3 7DD (0131 226 6051).