Uncertainty about future funding is having a "destructive" impact on the arts ahead of George Osborne's expected swingeing public spending cuts, one of the cultural scene's most influential figures has said.
Next week's UK Spending Review is expected to result in substantial cuts in public spending north of the Border, with a consequent reduction in Creative Scotland's £50 million budget from the Scottish Government.
Richard Findlay, chairman of Creative Scotland, which annually funds the nation's artists, companies, galleries and festivals, warns today that the arts need to make the case for funding when the impact of the Chancellor's cuts is revealed.
Mr Findlay, writing in The Herald, says that one of the important functions of the body is to provide "stable long term funding for organisations, individuals and projects".
As yet, he says, the scale of the UK Government's spending review cuts - which have been estimated at between 25 per cent and 40 per cent - are unknown, but he adds: "But at this stage all we can be sure of is uncertainty which can be just as destructive in the creative sector as elsewhere."
He says: "That’s why, now more than ever, it’s important that we shout out about the value the arts and the creative community deliver to all our lives.
"It’s important to assert that Scotland will not be diminished, and that we need to continue making our crucial contribution to the life of the country and its economy."
Mr Findlay, former chair of the National Theatre of Scotland, says that Creative Scotland currently receives 0.2 per cent of the overall Scottish Government budget.
"In practical terms, that allows us to support 118 regular funded organisations employing around 8000 people, and thousands of projects led by artists, organisations and companies each year in every part of Scotland, benefitting millions of people. Thousands of artists, filmmakers and creative individuals also benefit from our support every year," he writes.
Other areas of public spending such as schools and councils budgets will be impacted by what is announced by George Osborne next week.
The Scottish Government will know the results of the Spending Review next week, and will respond with their own plans on December 16.
In turn, they will notify Creative Scotland of the likely amount of core funds they will have for next year.
Senior staff at the funding body are expecting a reduction in the £50m core grant, but as yet have no information on how severe that cut will be and, in turn, how they will spend the money they will have.
Core government funding is one of the key incomes for Creative Scotland, along with the National Lottery.
Government core funding supports its Regular Funding portfolio of 121 cultural bodies, including theatres, theatrical companies, galleries, festivals and major arts companies across Scotland.
Regular funding companies include Dundee Rep, the Citizen's Theatre, Celtic Connections, Glasgow Film Theatre, the Royal Lyceum, the Scottish Poetry Library, the Edinburgh Fringe, International and Book Festivals.
The government funds also support specially targeted funds, including the Youth Music Initiative and the Youth Arts Strategy
The funds also pay for the operational costs of Creative Scotland itself.
'Open' funding and film funding is largely lottery money.
Internally Creative Scotland will assess any potential cuts and present the future plan to the arts world in Scotland in early January.
There is also a degree of concern within the body that the arts world may not appreciate the severity of cuts that may be coming next year.
More than 71,000 people work in the creative industries, including the arts, in Scotland.
There are 14,000 creative organisations and businesses and collectively they produce a £5.75 billion annual turnover in Scotland.
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