Dumfries and Galloway’s creative sector faces an uncertain future after vital major arts fund cut
The Scottish Government says its budget is facing significant challenges.
A Dumfries and Galloway group is hitting out at Creative Stranraer for their decision to close an important fund.
DG Unlimited is concerned about the consequences the closure of the Open Funds for Individuals could have on the creative sector in the region.
The decision to end the Open Fund for Individuals to new applications was taken due to the loss of £6.6 million of Scottish Government money.
Creative Stranraer says it was a difficult decision to make and they anticipate the innovative arts and cultural experiences will decline across the country “at an alarming rate”.
DG Unlimited Director Tabi Mudaliar says it’s a big blow locally and nationally:
“Without that fund, there’s going to be increased competition for the very few commissions that are out there, the very few jobs that are out there. We will have no new poems, no new books, no new films.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt that this decision is going to have far-reaching and extremely detrimental impacts on the creative community businesses and families not just in our region but the whole of Scotland.”
She adds that the organisation is urging people to come forward:
“We are interested in finding out how the loss of this fund will affect the creatives in our region. If you’ve been a recipient of this fund, how has it helped you in the past, what does it mean to not have access to this funding.”
The fund is set to close permanently on Friday 30th afternoon of this month.
Creative Scotland said they had planned to apply for £3 million of the £6.6 million budget but “if and when budget clarity becomes available from the Scottish Government, we will aim to reinstate direct funding support to individuals as soon as is possible.”
Iain Munro, CEO of Creative Scotland said:
“The level of uncertainty regarding the provision of Grant-in-Aid budgets from the Scottish Government is creating critical problems for the ongoing support we can provide to Scotland’s culture sector.
“This decision to close the Open Fund for Individuals is not one we would have wanted to take but is unavoidable without the funding from the Scottish Government being available.
“Like everyone working in Scotland’s culture and creative sector, we understand the extreme pressures on public finances but want to see longer term budget certainty from the Scottish Government, including the additional £100m announced in October 2023, details of which have yet to emerge.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said:
“The Scottish Government already provides significant funding to Creative Scotland each year and will continue to do so.
“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.”