Yesterday, as we announced the ten outstanding Scottish albums making up this year’s SAY Award Shortlist, our sector was yet again propelled into further uncertainty. 281 cultural organisations across Scotland (including us) have been anxiously awaiting decisions on Creative Scotland’s Multi-Year Funding Programme for 2025–28, which were due later this month. Unfortunately, yesterday’s announcement has confirmed that the results will now be postponed until the end of January 2025. Creative Scotland still has no clarity on the amount of funding that will be available from the Scottish Government to support the programme.
Throughout the six-month application process, Creative Scotland consistently highlighted the limited resources at their disposal, with the total ask from stage two applicants amounting to £87.5 million per year. It’s clear that only a portion of the organisations who applied will be supported. The delay adds further anxiety and pressure to a sector already stretched to its limits, and significantly impacts the lead time for both the planning and delivery of programmes of work. For those who are unsuccessful, it also leaves very limited time to pivot their business models and look at alternative routes forward.
Whilst Creative Scotland have confirmed that transition funding will be available for organisations currently in receipt of ongoing funding but who are unsuccessful in their application for Multi-Year Funding, in some cases – particularly for organisations not currently in receipt of ongoing funding – it will likely be too late. The prolonged fear of existential threat is leaving many organisations and their staff hanging in the balance, struggling to tread water in a growing tide of uncertainty and worry. The strength of our sector lies in the skills, talent and passion of the people who work within it – how much more can they take?
Scotland’s cultural sector has already faced significant strain in recent months, including the fear of in-year cuts which saw Creative Scotland’s Open Fund for Individuals temporarily close, along with delays to the Access to Making Music and Strengthening Youth Music Funds. Whilst the in-year cuts that would have impacted these core Creative Scotland funding programmes did not go ahead, a return to the status quo can’t – and shouldn’t – be seen as progress. This only provided temporary relief from what would have been a cultural catastrophe. The next crisis is already looming if culture is not adequately supported, safeguarded and sustained through essential increased investment.
The Scottish Government has not yet confirmed whether the planned £25 million increase in cultural funding for 2025 will be in place by 1 April.
Recent events have eroded hope and trust, and yesterday’s news has cast yet another shadow over Scotland’s cultural sector. Resilience has waned significantly. Artists, freelancers and cultural organisations are at breaking point.
We urgently need assurance from the Scottish Government about future investment – our sector cannot wait years for the investment it desperately needs now.
Robert Kilpatrick
CEO and Creative Director
Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA)