GAELIC organisations have called for a rule change to stop the Home Office using Arts Council England to determine visa applications for Gaelic-speaking artists.
No Scottish organisations are included on the list of expert bodies used by the UK Government to judge the worthiness of residency bids by performers in Gaelic arts and music.
The Arts Council of England has been named a Designated Competent Body, but Scottish national agencies like Creative Scotland and Bord na Gaidhlig have not.
Dr Alasdair C Whyte of the An Lochran organisation called this a “hangover of colonialism”, Martainn Mac a’ Bhaillidh of Gaelic language campaign group Misneachd branded it “shocking” and the Scottish Government also blasted the set-up – after the Sunday National reported how US-born Gaelic singer and writer Maya Evan Matyas had her “exceptional promise” visa refused.
Matyas, who writes as M Evan MacGriogair, is a member of the celebrated Alba choir that represented Scotland at the Eurovision Choir 2019 contest in August.
Led by Joy Dunlop, it performed to a total TV audience of 1.5 million and took to the stage in Glasgow’s George Square on Friday night with headliners Manran to open this year’s Royal National Mod.
Matyas, 34, immersed herself in Gaelic after first visiting Scotland in 2004. Now staying in Glasgow, she applied for the visa to secure her future as she develops her writing and singing in her adopted language.
Exceptional promise visas are aimed at “highly skilled individuals in the fields of science, humanities, engineering, the arts” and more who “will enrich the UK’s knowledge, economy and society,” according to the Home Office.
Applicants must have “demonstrated potential to contribute significantly as a future leader in your field”.
Matyas, who has been published internationally and regularly performs local and national choirs, is – according to Mull native Whyte – “one of the most talented Gaelic learners” he has ever seen and an asset to the culture. He told the Sunday National: “This is someone who really feels a connection with Gaelic culture and has dedicated themselves to it.”
On the lack of “competent” Scottish bodies, he said: “This is a hangover of colonialism – where we used to have one empire, one language, it’s the same in different terms because it’s one country, one language “It’s beyond ignorance. Politicians and policy makers have oppressed the language for centuries. There’s no excuse for it any more. We need to have more autonomy over these decisions.”
Mac a’ Bhaillidh commented: “It’s shocking that this is the process and there are no Scottish agencies involved. We know Scotland has different demographic needs to England. One of the main deficiencies is in Gaelic speakers and people working in Gaelic media and arts. For that not to be given any recognition is a terrible state of affairs.
“Creative Scotland should have a role in this process, Bord na Gaidhlig should be asked to comment. I don’t understand why that wouldn’t be the case already.”
Creative Scotland said the process allows Arts Council England to consult with it “as necessary to inform their assessment of visa applications” and the issue of designations is “a question for the UK Government”.
But in a letter to Matyas, the Edinburgh-based agency said: “We are extremely sympathetic to your situation. The mobility of artists and performers is of crucial importance to the Scottish culture sector and we recognise the increasing challenges faced by artists and creative people wanting to work in the UK.”
The Scottish Government commented: “This is an example of the real and damaging impact the UK Government’s hostile immigration policies are having on people’s lives. It demonstrates once again how a one-size-fits-all UK immigration system doesn’t take into account Scotland’s circumstances, values or interests.
“It is time for Scotland to have the powers to deliver tailored immigration solutions that meet our distinct needs and aspirations.”
Matyas, who has the support of her MP Carol Monaghan, said: “I’m part of the community here, I have made my home here – if it were up to them it wouldn’t even be a question, but I’m having to petition the English arts council for the right to make art here.
“I don’t feel they are equipped to understand the magnitude of the crisis facing Gaelic and the language at every structural and institutional level – or to care, more importantly.”
Bord na Gaidhlig and the Home Office did not respond to a request for comment.
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