Following Creative Scotland’s recent communication regarding the delay in announcing the application results for the Multi-Year Funding Programme (2025–28), Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) – along with Artlink, Craft Scotland, Culture & Business Scotland, Culture Counts, Federation of Scottish Theatre (FST), Publishing Scotland, Scottish Book Trust, Scottish Contemporary Art Network (SCAN) and Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland (TRACS) – have written a joint letter to Robert Wilson (Chair, Creative Scotland), Iain Munro (Chief Executive, Creative Scotland) and Dana MacLeod (Executive Director of Arts, Communities and Inclusion, Creative Scotland).
Following consultation with their members and wider stakeholders to understand how this delay is currently affecting them (and how it will continue to do so in the months ahead), the letter provides constructive suggestions on how Scotland’s cultural sector can navigate this difficult period together.
Robert Wilson, Chair, Creative Scotland
Iain Munro, Chief Executive, Creative Scotland
Dana MacLeod, Executive Director of Arts, Communities and Inclusion, Creative Scotland
14 October 2024
Dear Robert, Iain and Dana,
I hope this letter finds you well.
I am writing to you on behalf of the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), along with Artlink, Craft Scotland,
Culture & Business Scotland, Culture Counts, Federation of Scottish Theatre (FST), Publishing Scotland,
Scottish Book Trust, Scottish Contemporary Art Network (SCAN) and Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland
(TRACS), following Creative Scotland’s recent communication regarding the delay in announcing the application
results for the Multi-Year Funding Programme (2025–28).
We understand the significant challenges Creative Scotland faces due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding
the Scottish Government’s budget, and we appreciate the complex factors at play. The lack of clarity on cultural
funding is deeply concerning for the many organisations across Scotland that depend on this essential support.
We acknowledge your ongoing efforts to seek resolution in this regard and the challenging position that Creative
Scotland finds itself in.
However, as you are aware, this delay has significant repercussions for the sector. The postponement until the
end of January 2025 adds further anxiety and operational strain to an already precarious situation.
Organisations, including those represented here, have been navigating extremely difficult conditions, and we
have been consulting closely with our members and wider stakeholders to understand the full extent of how this
delay is currently affecting them, and how it will continue to do so in the months ahead.
The delay in Multi-Year Funding decisions severely impacts planning for the 2025-26 programme of work,
particularly with such a reduced lead time to align business models, staffing and resources for the new funding
period. Additionally, the uncertainty is acutely felt by applicants who are not currently in receipt of ongoing
funding from Creative Scotland, and who – if unsuccessful – will not be eligible for transitional funding. Many fear
they won’t have enough time to pivot, putting key projects or activities at risk, and in some cases, threatening the
sustainability of the organisations themselves.
In light of this, we respectfully request that Creative Scotland consider taking the following actions to support
those who have applied for Multi-Year Funding during this period of uncertainty. These actions build on the
requests made by SCAN and FST in their letter sent on Thursday 4 October:
- Open Online Meetings: We request that Creative Scotland holds an online meeting for all Multi-Year
Funding applicants to provide clear guidance on transition funding, contingency planning and timelines.
This collective forum would offer much-needed clarity and reassurance across the sector. Additionally, an
online meeting specifically with senior staff and chairs of current RFOs would provide a shared baseline
for scenario planning, particularly around “going concern” issues. - Applicant Check-ins and RFO Calls: We propose that Creative Scotland conduct check-ins with all
applicants to assess cash-flow and going concern issues. Additionally, we ask that applicants who are
currently Regularly Funded Organisations (RFOs) receive individual calls with their lead officers to
ensure that plans around transition funding are mapped to sector needs, and that immediate concerns
are addressed. - Acknowledge the Impact on Programme Delivery: The loss of planning time needs to be
acknowledged. We ask for clarity on how successful applicants will be supported in adjusting their
2025-26 programmes to avoid staff burnout and to allow sufficient time for re-aligning plans. - Risk Signalling: We recommend initiating a process where organisations receiving Open Project or
Targeted funding can signal if they are at risk due to uncertainty.
We fully recognise the difficult position Creative Scotland is in, with much of this situation beyond your direct
control. Nevertheless, we believe that improving information flow and fostering more connection with the sector
could play a crucial role in helping organisations cope with this prolonged uncertainty. The strength of our sector
lies in its people, and right now, many of those people are facing burnout, stress and existential threats to their
work and livelihoods. Ensuring clear communication and support during this period will help strengthen our
sector’s resilience.
Thank you for your consideration. We are committed to working with you to navigate these challenges and to
ensure that Scotland’s cultural sector is supported, safeguarded and sustained in the years to come.
Yours sincerely,
Robert Kilpatrick
CEO and Creative Director
Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA)
(On behalf of the listed organisations)