John Swinney launches review into Creative Scotland as Open Fund saved

Creative Scotland’s Open Fund will reopen, John Swinney has announced, following intense pressure from some of the nation’s top stars.

In his first Programme for Government speech, Scotland’s First Minister also pledged more money for the arts body.

But he said it would also face a review to ensure it continues to meet the needs of the cultural sector in Scotland.

A number of prominent artists and musicians had demanded that Creative Scotland reopen its Open Fund for Individuals after the organisation closed it due to uncertainty over funding from the Government.

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Lewis Capaldi and Shirley Manson join artists demanding more funding for arts

They have signed an open letter to the Scottish First Minister after a key funding stream was closed to new applicants.

Acts including Paolo Nutini, Biffy Clyro and Lewis Capaldi were among those calling for the change.

The review announced on Wednesday will be the first since Creative Scotland was established in 2010 and will examine its remit and functions as a funding body.

The organisation came under scrutiny earlier this year after a controversy around its funding for the explicit Rein art project. That was later withdrawn.

Other prominent cultural figures such as Booker Prize author Douglas Stuart were unhappy after the literary festival Aye Write was not awarded Creative Scotland funding.

Culture Secretary @AngusRobertson has announced a review of @CreativeScots in this year's Programme for Government, and the release of:

🔵 £6.6 million, including £3m towards its Open Fund and £1m for @screenscots

🔵 £1.8 million for youth music

▶️ https://t.co/UVwUDg7TvR pic.twitter.com/32XoAERJMi
— Scot Gov Culture (@culturescotgov) September 4, 2024

In his Programme for Government speech, the First Minister said: “A review of Creative Scotland will be undertaken to ensure the appropriate approach is in place to meet the needs of the sector and I am pleased to confirm to Parliament that the resources required to enable Creative Scotland to continue the work of the Open Fund are now available.”

Culture secretary Angus Robertson said £6.6m has been allocated to the arts body to allow the Open Fund to be reopened.

Robertson said: “Scotland’s culture is world-renowned and it remains integral to our nation and our economy.

“Over the past 14 years, Creative Scotland has had a significant role in supporting that role, distributing £65m of public funding in the last year alone.

“With the sector having faced a number of new and enduring challenges since then, the time is now right for us to ensure Creative Scotland’s remit and functions remain relevant, in line with our commitments to invest at least £100m more annually in the arts and culture by 2028-29, and to continuous improvement across all our public bodies.

“It is routine for public bodies to undergo reviews throughout their lifetime, and while that process is ongoing we are clear that we expect the organisations involved to take forward their business as usual.”