SCOTLAND’S cultural life has benefited from more than £1.1 million raised by independent charity Arts & Business Scotland.

The money has been invested in 68 individual business and cultural partnerships across Scotland, thanks to the charity’s pioneering funding programme.

Launched in April 2017, the Culture & Business Fund Scotland (CBFS) has enabled closer collaboration between the business community and Scotland’s cultural sector by match-funding business sponsorship of cultural projects from Dumfries to the Shetland Islands and from Dundee to Argyll and Bute.

Funded by the Scottish Government via Creative Scotland, total investment from the fund since its launch has been almost £500,000 with every £1 of CBFS monies invested generating £1.31 in business sponsorship, creating a total investment of £1,124,675. Grants provided by the CBFS range from £1000 to £40,000 in value.

Examples of successful grants include Edinburgh St James, the company behind the multi-million-pound redevelopment of Edinburgh’s St James shopping centre, collaborating with the National Museum of Scotland to sponsor the launch of Body Beautiful’, a ground-breaking exhibition that champions the people, designs, and voices influencing positive body image and inclusivity in the modern fashion industry.

Rochelle Burgess, associate director for Edinburgh St James, said: “We’re delighted to be a part of this exhibition that celebrates

the rich tapestry of diverse voices and talent within the fashion industry and hope to collaborate again in the future with National Museums Scotland.”