Culture Counts statement on the Scottish Government spending review 2022 – 2026
The arts, heritage and creative industries deliver across a range of activities, from artists working in hospitals, the protection of the historic environment, to successful tv, film and games industries.
The arts, heritage, and creative industries have been on standstill budgets for over a decade, and I hope that a policy of slow decline is not set to continue. The Spending Review is not a budget and I envisage that what is outlined is the minimum intended to spend over the period.
The real-term cuts over the previous decade have already had a major impact on the sector’s ability to make improvements in the areas of carbon reduction, fair work and equality, diversity, and inclusion. When investment in the sector is systematically reduced, ticket prices climb and cut off those who cannot afford to participate; both in terms of workforce and audiences.
The workforce will attract those with an interest which is developed in younger years. If half the population are cut off from experiencing the culture sector, they’re not going to be attracted to it. The sector then misses out on the huge benefits of a diverse workforce. A diverse workforce in the culture sector is a necessity, declining diversity threatens the entire sector’s ability to innovate and compete.
Disconnect
The Spending Review seems to show a disconnect between where Scotland wants to be in policy terms and the reality on the ground.
For example, Cuts to business support, while prioritising a culture of entrepreneurship within Scotland’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation. We have a Community Empowerment Act; though there has been little improvement in community ownership, as local authorities need buildings to borrow against the capital. We aim to improve our town centres, though we’re applying unaffordable business rates, discouraging potential entrepreneurs from setting up and delivering for communities. It’s a struggle to understand who Scottish Government envisage, or hope is able to succeed and prosper in this environment?
There’s a slightly unclear pathway to the Scotland we all want to see. The key to moving past Thatcherism is encouraging people to connect with each other; take collective responsibility and feel a sense of belonging in their communities. That’s what the arts, heritage and creative industries are; opportunities for connection and belonging.
Areas for investment
There are three key areas to the arts, heritage and creative industries that are vital to maintaining a minimum eco-system throughout a time of financial hardship. For example, investment in:
Production
Writing screenplays, curating exhibitions, designing computer games, classes, clubs, and workshops, creating productions
Distribution
Festivals, events, trade shows, exhibitions, touring
Infrastructure
Buildings, theatres, cinemas, libraries, museums, galleries, networks, support organisations
All rely equally on each other. There is a devastating declining investment in all three of the above areas at the National level and at the local level. To mitigate against that the sector will need support to create new income streams and to work in partnership with cross-portfolio areas of Government. There is a range of benefits to working with the arts, heritage, and creative industries to achieve outcomes; outlined here.
It is now vital that the Scottish Government prioritise:
% for Arts Scheme
% from Scottish Government infrastructure projects to be collected and placed in an endowment fund to be redistributed to enable arts and culture activity
Transient Visitor Levy
Enable local authorities to introduce TVL and to encourage ring-fencing income for arts and culture
Cross Policy Working
Take a strategic approach to Cross Policy Working, mapping out where arts, heritage and creative industries can deliver on outcomes across Justice; Social Security; Health; Education and Economy. Ensure culture is not overlooked and is included in criteria guidelines for investment and are listed as statutory consultees.
The sector is light on its feet, creative, innovative, and full of people who love to collaborate to make things happen, and who are empowered by working closely with their communities.
Jennifer Hunter, Director, Culture Counts.
1 June 2022