JOHN Swinney has said he will be “very mindful” of funding for the arts despite “difficult choices” facing the Scottish Government, after some of the country’s top musicians called for more cash.
Biffy Clyro, Paolo Nutini and Franz Ferdinand were among more than 170 figures to sign an open letter addressed to the First Minister in response to the closure of Creative Scotland’s open fund due to financial pressures.
Alex Kapranos, frontman of Franz Ferdinand, described the move as “disappointingly short-sighted” as he joined a chorus of discontent from the arts sector with 130 individuals and organisations urging the Scottish Government to restore funding last week.
READ MORE: Slow Horses star protests Scottish arts funding cut on Glasgow stage
Speaking on Thursday, the First Minister said: “I understand the concerns that have been expressed by members of the artistic community about funding for culture and the arts.
“It’s a very important part of our country that we support and nurture investment in cultural and artistic activity.
“The Government already spends over £50 million in the Creative Scotland budget, and we’re obviously facing very challenging economic and financial times at this particular moment and we obviously want to continue to invest in artistic and cultural activity.
“We’ll engage actively with the community to do all that we can to make sure that Scotland’s international reputation for cultural activity is enhanced in the years to come.
“I want to make sure that there is a high priority around cultural funding, because I realise how important it is to the wellbeing and the development of our society – it’s an important expression of who we are and it’s important for our society.
“So as the Government makes some really difficult financial choices, I will be very mindful of the importance of ensuring that we invest effectively in the artistic and cultural community within Scotland.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here