Dundee's creative community makes plea to council to protect UNESCO arts and culture funding

A Dundee jewellery designer has joined calls for the council to protect UNESCO arts and culture funding.

Islay Spalding believes she wouldn’t have her own business without the help and support of UNESCO Dundee and is one of hundreds who have signed a letter addressed to the local authority.

A decade ago, the city was designated a UNESCO City of Design and remains the only one in the UK.

Ms Spalding has based her business in the city since she graduated from Dundee University in 2005.

She says the support is vital to Dundee’s network of creative businesses.

She told STV News: “I was proposing to buy somewhere in the city centre that I could keep going with my jewellery business, provide a place for others to work in and a platform for other people.

“The UNESCO team really gave me the confidence and the courage to do it.

“I don’t think I would have done it if it wasn’t for Annie (Marrs).

“It was this vital link between me and the creative community and the council.

Islay Spalding says she couldn't have sustained her business without UNESCO funding — Islay Spalding says she couldn’t have sustained her business without UNESCO funding STV News

“She understood what I was trying to do and was able to put that into words the council would be able to understand.”

Islay is among more than 600 people who have signed a letter calling for Dundee City Council to continue funding the UNESCO group.

Currently, £60,000 is earmarked for UNESCO, but that could be cut as the local authority looks to fill a potential budget shortfall of £15.6m next year.

Joanne Macfadyen runs Tea Green Events, which provides a platform for designers to sell their products.

She started the open letter: “UNESCO Designation has really kept designers in the city after graduating. It’s really amplified the community of designers in the city. It’s brought in other companies who want to be part of that.

“It just really potentially affects that spirit, and that momentum has been built over the last ten years.

“There are so many cultural organisations facing cuts like the DCA and Dundee Rep.

“Dundee’s known for having a really strong, vibrant creative community and great culture. So to lose that would be like ripping the heart out of the city.”

Jeweller and artist Joanne MacFadyen STV News

A spokesperson for Dundee City Council said: “The Council has a legal requirement to set a balanced budget every year. The current financial outlook makes this exceptionally challenging, and difficult decisions will have to be taken.

“A report agreed by councillors on November 18 indicates a potential budget shortfall of £15.6m for next financial year, on top of the £171m worth of savings and efficiencies already made in the past 16 years.

“No decisions have yet been taken in relation to next year’s budget. The report by Council officers puts forward a number of possible options for savings which will be the subject of public consultation.

“The consultation gives people across the city the chance to provide feedback on the council’s spending priorities, the level of Council Tax and individual savings options.

“The Council recognises how important it is for the people of Dundee to have their say on possible savings which could have an impact on them. This consultation will be the most extensive in recent years.

“The responses will be considered by officers developing their savings proposals and elected members who will set the Budget early next year.”