Creative Scotland bosses say lack of government cash made closing key fund ‘unavoidable’

Arts bosses at Creative Scotland have closed a key funding programme amid “uncertainty” over financial support the organisation receives from the Scottish Government.

Iain Munro, chief executive officer of the organisation, said the decision to close its open fund to new applicants from the end of this month was “unavoidable”.

It announced the move at the same time as it said details have “yet to emerge” of £100m of funding for the arts and culture sector that was promised by then first minister Humza Yousaf.

Mr Munro said: “Like everyone working in Scotland’s culture and creative sector, we understand the extreme pressures on public finances but want to see longer-term budget certainty from the Scottish Government, including the additional £100m announced in October 2023, details of which have yet to emerge.”

Creative Scotland was also, meanwhile, given a “gold-plated commitment” by Culture Secretary Angus Robertson last October that £6.6m of cash from its reserves that it used to make up a budget shortfall would be reinstated.

The arts body had planned to use £3m of this cash, together with £3m of money from the National Lottery, for its open fund – which it describes as being one of its “key funding programmes” helping to support “the wide range of activity initiated by artists, writers, producers and other creative practitioners in Scotland”.

Creative Scotland said the government had been unable to confirm the release of £6.6m in grant-in-aid budget for 2024-25.

Mr Munro said that was causing “critical problems” for Creative Scotland.

He stated: “The level of uncertainty regarding the provision of grant-in-aid budgets from the Scottish Government is creating critical problems for the ongoing support we can provide to Scotland’s culture sector.

“This decision to close the open fund for individuals is not one we would have wanted to take but is unavoidable without the funding from the Scottish Government being available.”

Creative Scotland said its open fund will close to new applications from 2pm on Friday, August 30.

All currently submitted applications from individuals will be processed in line with its published guidance, with Creative Scotland adding that the National Lottery open fund for organisations remains open.

The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.