A new drama training network, led by the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD), is to be established following an in-depth review of the arts by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC).

The Scottish Stage and Screen Network will see the RSAMD link up with arts courses at Edinburgh's Queen Margaret and Napier Universities, as well as the Scottish capital's College of Art. Increased funding will be made available by the SFC for the network, which is expected to be set up in February. It will enable the convergence of a number of arts disciplines, including acting, filmmaking and costume design across a number of further education facilities.

SFC chief executive, Mark Batho, said: "Drama and the creative industries contribute not only to our culture and society but also form a key sector in Scotland's economy. This is an example of the kind of strategic change that will in future be possible under the new funding arrangements." Fiona Hyslop, the Scottish government's cabinet secretary for education and lifelong learning, said: "Maintaining world-class drama provision in Scotland is one of our top priorities, and I therefore welcome this positive initiative by the SFC.

"It will benefit not just the RSAMD but Scotland as a whole, by enabling Scottish institutions to attract the most gifted drama students and talented staff, through providing highly specialised arts training."