Scottish arts funding hard hit by economic downturn

Published on Friday 4 December 2009 22:10

MORE than four out of ten arts organisations in Scotland have reported a drop in income, according to a survey.

The Scottish Arts Council carried out a survey of dance, theatre, music and visual arts organisations to ask how they were coping with the economic downturn.

According to the findings, 42 per cent of arts organisations reported a drop in income during the previous six months.

However, the majority believed they could weather the storm. Only a fifth said they felt "pessimistic" about the future.

The arts council surveyed 82 arts organisations. Those in Edinburgh and Glasgow were less likely to report a drop in funding than organisations in other parts of Scotland.

Jim Tough, chief executive of the Scottish Arts Council, said: "Our aim in commissioning this research was to ensure we had an accurate and timely picture of the financial landscape for the arts, both to aid policy and to plan for the future."