SOME of Scotland’s best-known arts organisations, including the Edinburgh Fringe and the National Jazz Orchestra, have expressed their “grave and deep concern” to government ministers over plans for cuts to culture funding.
More than 160 arts organisations have signed an open letter to the First Minister, John Swinney, Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, and the Cabinet Secretary for External Affairs and Culture, Angus Robertson, stating that the proposed cuts would leave Scottish artists in crisis.
The open letter follows uncertainty surrounding £6.6 million grant-in-aid funding for Creative Scotland, which was given a “gold-plated commitment” by Robertson, which could be axed.
Earlier this week Creative Scotland’s chief executive officer, Iain Munro, said they had to make the “unavoidable” decision to close its open fund to new applicants from the end of this month due to financial uncertainty.
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Creative Scotland, which is the government’s art agency, said nearly £10m had suddenly been cut from its budget and that hundreds of individual freelance artists will now no longer be financially supported due to the open fund having to close to applicants.
The group of art organisations said the government was betraying promises from the previous first minister, Humza Yousaf, that funding for Scotland’s arts sector would grow by £100m.
They also said the government had rolled back other recent pledges to spend another £25m in the sector this year.
Scottish finance secretary, Shona Robison, warned there would be a freeze or cut all non-essential spending this year.
The open letter states that funding from the government is vital and warned that the cuts would not only have grave consequences for Scotland’s cultural wellbeing but also risk damaging the country's reputation and economy.
It also outlines the individual impact it would have on people across Scotland as the funds are a cornerstone to support the livelihoods of countless artists.
The letter said: “Independent artists are the heartbeat of Scotland’s cultural ecosystem, and many rely on public funding not only to create and innovate but also to sustain their everyday lives.
“The sudden closure of the Open Fund leaves them without crucial financial support, putting their wellbeing and livelihoods at serious risk; and directly contravenes both Creative Scotland’s and the Scottish Government's commitments to Fair Work.
“The emotional and financial strain the removal of funding places on artists, will result in artists choosing to live & work elsewhere to sustain their practices. This is highly detrimental to Scotland particularly when the creative industries are seen as a key growth sector, and forecast to grow by 4% by 2026.
“The arts are a significant contributor to Scotland's economy and cultural identity. Without funding, the production of new work will slow to a trickle, leading to fewer performances, exhibitions, and community programs. This diminishes Scotland’s cultural vibrancy and impacts local economies that benefit from a thriving arts sector.”
Some other names who have signed the letter include Youth Theatre Arts Scotland, Summerhall, Dundee Contemporary Arts, Scottish Contemporary Art Network, Scottish Artists Union and the Edinburgh International Book Festival.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government already provides significant funding to Creative Scotland each year and will continue to do so.
“The Culture Secretary is in regular contact with the sector to discuss the issues it currently faces and how to address those challenges. We will continue to do everything within our powers and resources to protect our world class arts and culture sector.
“We have increased arts culture funding this year, as the first step to achieving our commitment to invest at least £100 million more annually in culture and the arts by 2028/29.
“The Scottish Budget continues to face significant challenges. We are considering the implications of the actions announced by the Chancellor on 29 July for our public finances, and the next steps required by the Scottish Government.”
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