100 arts figures slam funding body

Oct 9 2012

More than 100 artists and writers have joined forces to launch a strongly worded criticism of the main arts funding body.

Creative Scotland lacks regard for culture, and is confused and intrusive, according to an open letter to the organisation's chairman, Sir Sandy Crombie.

The letter is signed by leading figures including the Makar, or national poet, Liz Lochhead, author Alasdair Gray, crime writer Ian Rankin and playwright John Byrne.

It states: "Routinely, we see ill-conceived decision-making, unclear language, lack of empathy and regard for Scottish culture. We observe an organisation with a confused and intrusive management style married to a corporate ethos that seems designed to set artist against artist and company against company in the search for resources.

"This letter is not about money. This letter is about management. The arts are one of Scotland's proudest assets and most successful exports. We believe existing resources are best managed in an atmosphere of trust between those who make art and those who fund it. At present, this trust is low and receding daily."

Calling for a fresh start from the two-year-old organisation, the group asked that Creative Scotland acknowledges the "scale of the problem" and commits to more stable funding for small arts groups.

The artists demand an end to the "business speak" and jargon they say is used in official communications. They want policies to be revisited and complicated funding forms redesigned. Decisions should be taken by people with "artform expertise".

Ms Lochhead said she signed the letter because of a feeling of "absolute dismay". She said: "Something has to be said and something has to be done because a potentially catastrophic set of initiatives are being put in place all the time that really threaten how people in Scotland can work."

Saying she is not a "political person", Ms Lochhead said the decision to sign the letter was not taken lightly.

Last month, artists raised their concerns about Creative Scotland with MSPs on Holyrood's Culture Committee. The funding body was formed by the merger of the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen.