[Scottish Parliament, 22.08.2024] Highlands and Islands MSP and Convener of the Cross-Party Group on Islands Jamie Halcro Johnston has raised concerns about the availability of funding for smaller productions and events in remote and rural areas of his region.
During his recent summer surgery tour of the region, Mr Halcro Johnston heard from constituents who said they were having increasing difficulty in securing financial support for smaller arts and cultural events, including those hosted in local village halls and community centres.
Mr Halcro Johnston has now written to the Chief Executive of Creative Scotland, the country’s main body for supporting arts and culture, to raise the matter further.
Scottish Conservative MSP Mr Halcro Johnston said:
“Across our rural and island communities, local arts and cultural events play a huge role in bringing people together, as well as bringing the creative sector out of the towns and cities and into some of our more remote areas.
“Support from Creative Scotland has been a lifeline for many local organisations across the Highlands and Islands, and any reduction in this support – or new barriers to accessing funding - would be a devastating blow to the cultural vibrancy of our rural communities.
“Concerns have been raised with me by constituents that the availability of funding from Creative Scotland has been reduced, either because the level of support has dropped or that it has been made more difficult to access funding.
“That appears to be particularly the case in relation to smaller productions or events such as those hosted in local village halls and community centres. These sorts of venues are normally run by volunteers who may simply not have the time or expertise to jump through all the hoops public bodies often need completed to access support.
“I have written to Creative Scotland to raise my constituents’ concerns and, while recognising the very public squeeze on their funding by SNP ministers in Edinburgh, it is vital that support remains available to ensure no community is left behind and that smaller cultural events and productions continue in our more remote communities".
“If not, the Scottish Government risks creating cultural deserts across large parts of rural Scotland”.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Attached is Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP’s letter to the Chief Executive of Creative Scotland.
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