The Scottish government is to provide an additional £50,000 of funding for the Arts & Business Scotland New Arts Sponsorship (NAS) awards scheme.

The scheme provides match-funding for first-time arts sponsors, or for companies that have not sponsored for at least three years, and is also open to non-Scottish based companies to sponsor arts activities in Scotland.

An arts organisation receiving an eligible business sponsorship grant will receive £1 of government funding for every £1 of sponsorship through the grant scheme.

Since March 2009, 31 new business and arts partnerships have received grants from the NAS scheme, generating £583,283 in total for the arts in Scotland.

Fiona Hyslop, Scottish culture minister, said: "This additional funding demonstrates the Scottish government's determination to support the arts and encourage involvement from new business sponsors.

"Despite the economic climate, attendances at cultural events and arts venues are holding up well. This is a good time for businesses to benefit from involvement in the arts, with tangible commercial benefits, whether it be branding, customer engagement, heightened community profile or staff development."