A Culture Act for Scotland 

Ahead of the 2026 election, we call on all political parties in Scotland to support a Culture Act in the next Scottish Parliament.

Scotland’s culture sector is the envy of many around the world. Given the central role which culture plays in our economy, our international profile, our education system and so many other areas of society, it’s time for MSPs to pass legislation which ensures this is the case long into the future.

The 2026 Holyrood Election and the next Scottish Parliamentary term present a key opportunity for our sector. Culture Counts, in partnership with Community Leisure UK, is asking all political parties to support the introduction of a Culture Act in the next parliamentary term.

Sustaining and growing the sector requires a strategic legislative framework, which futureproofs and integrates culture into all areas of public life. There is untapped potential in the sector. We do not simply want to safeguard the status quo, we want to enable the sector to grow and thrive, acting as a key driver of Scotland’s economy, society and global reputation. Establishing a solid statutory footing for us through legislation will secure our sector, support our growth, and help us help Scotland. 

Principles

We believe this legislation should be developed through a process which is:

• Consultative - developed in collaboration with the sector, the public, and partners across related policy areas, and flexibly responding to the differing needs across the diversity of Scotland’s places

• Inclusive - centring equity and recognising that opportunities to experience, participate in and create art are not experienced equally by all

• Ambitious - celebrating the strength and breadth of Scotland’s cultural sector, and seeking to maximise the opportunities for it to thrive, for everyone, and for the long term

Support this ask

Collectively our voices are strong. We need your help to demonstrate the strength of feeling behind the campaign for a Culture Act. We’ve put together a toolkit with templates and ideas to help us advocate together for the long-term security of our sector.

Here are some ways you can get involved: 

• Use our template letter to write to your MSP and candidates

• Help us make waves by contributing to our open letter 

• Spread the word on social media and through your own networks with our graphic and draft text

• Use our key messages

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve prepared a handy FAQs document with some common questions about A Culture Act for Scotland.

International comparisons

We’ve been reviewing cultural legislation around the world to understand how other countries have built a firm foundation for cultural impact.

Voices of A Culture Act for Scotland

We’ve been asking people to tell us why they’d like to see A Culture Act for Scotland, and what the benefits could be from their perspective.