Arts funding reform plans to be delayed

Published on 27/06/2012 12:00

CREATIVE Scotland has performed a partial U-turn over controversial funding reform proposals.

A total of 49 groups, including the Edinburgh Mela and the Talbot Rice Gallery, had been told that flexible funding grants would run out in March.

But bosses have now said the grants will be extended until September and apologised for rushing the plans.

The changes, announced in May, provoked anger within the arts world and were criticised by playwright David Greig, actor Alan Cumming and bodies including the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra.

Creative Scotland have said that the delay will allow more time to discuss funding.

The agency’s chief executive, Andrew Dixon, said: “While we remain committed to the overall strategic direction laid out in this plan, we acknowledge that some adjustments would be beneficial.”