Biffy Clyro, Paolo Nutini and more slam art funding cuts

The fund will close to new applications on August 30, and the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) will send an open letter to the First Minister warning that decision, as well as the delayed re-opening of other key programmes, has led to "the worst crisis that Scotland's music and wider arts sector has ever faced".

The campaign will be live for 48 hours, with the letter sent to coincide with the final deadline for the open fund.

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Artists to have signed the open letter include Biffy Clyro, Paolo Nutini, Franz Ferdinand, The Proclaimers, Karine Polwart, Mogwai, Young Fathers, Glasvegas, Frightened Rabbit, Joesef and The Twilight Sad.

The letter says: "Unpredictable cultural funding decisions in recent years have left our sector facing unsustainable challenges. Artists, who are central to Scotland’s cultural output, have been deeply affected by policy changes that have significantly impacted their careers and well-being.

"This situation is in direct contradiction with the principles outlined in the Scottish Government’s Fair Work Action Plan, which emphasises respect and opportunities for workers. The sector that gave rise to the term 'gig economy' is likely to remain the only one where professionals are excluded from job security, holiday pay, sick pay and pension benefits.

"Artists and cultural freelancers must be treated with the same respect as those in sectors where recent agreements have been reached, acknowledging their significant contributions to society (such as wellbeing, social inclusion and crime reduction) and the broader economy (such as tourism and hospitality).

"We respectfully request that these commitments be reflected in the treatment of Scotland's artists and cultural freelancers, and that the relationship between the Scottish Government and the cultural sector be renewed with a spirit of mutual respect.

"The disparity between the Scottish Government’s stated goals and the current situation is of great concern. While we acknowledge the pledge of an additional £100 million in cultural funding annually by 2028-29, this does not address the immediate crisis.

"The sector cannot wait years for the investment it desperately needs now."

The letter urges the First Minister to confirm the previously committed cultural investment of £10.7 million for this financial year, allowing Creative Scotland to re-open the Open Fund for Individuals and open applications for the Access to Music Making and Strengthening Youth Music Funds.

In addition it calls on the Scottish Government to ensure that the planned £25 million increase in cultural funding for 2025 will be secured by the start of the new financial year, and expedite the distribution of as much of the pledged £100 million annual cultural funding increase by 2028-29 as early as possible.

(Image: Colin Mearns/Herald Scotland)

Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand said: "This is a disappointingly short sighted cut which will cost exponentially more than what is saved in the short term financially. The arts are how a nation knows who they are. Without them we have an identity as two dimensional as the bottom line of a balanced account.”

Rod Jones of Idlewild said: "Art in all forms is crucial to growth, well-being, joy and life. 

"To be truly artistic, relevant and unimpaired art is not always commercial so government support and funding is crucial to growing a healthy arts scene, nurturing and developing new and existing talents to showcase what incredible artists Scotland can and has produced.”

Stina Tweeddale, Honeyblood, said: “As a former recipient  of Creative Scotland funding, I can wholeheartedly say that my career would not have been the same without it … I implore the Scottish Government to reconsider this move, as there is no doubt that a lack of this support will have a colossal impact on the arts sector. We are more than just entertainment.”

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: "I understand the concerns of many people within the artistic community, and I want to reassure those individuals that the Scottish Government is listening very carefully to the representations they are making.

“We are dealing with very significant challenges in the public finances, which are exacerbated by the UK Government’s recent announcements.

“We are investing significantly already in cultural activities, with over £55 million of investment in Creative Scotland this financial year. The government will set out in due course what further steps we can take to address the challenges that we facing and to make sure that we address the issues that have been drawn to our attention by the artistic community.”