Celtic Connections chief says 'Scotland deserves better' as he urges arts funding rethink

Donald Shaw calls for action to restore confidence and stability to troubled industry

Glasgow's Celtic Connections festival has been running since 1994. Picture Kris KesiakGlasgow's Celtic Connections festival has been running since 1994. Picture Kris Kesiak
Glasgow's Celtic Connections festival has been running since 1994. Picture Kris Kesiak | Kris Kesiak

The figurehead of one of Scotland's biggest festivals has urged the Scottish Government to rethink its funding of culture to restore confidence and stability to the troubled arts industry.

Donald Shaw, creative producer of Celtic Connections, has called for a reversal of the trend which has seen Scotland slide towards the bottom of the European league table for government arts spending.

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Donald Shaw is the creative producer of Glasgow's Celtic Connections festival. Picture: Bill MurrayDonald Shaw is the creative producer of Glasgow's Celtic Connections festival. Picture: Bill Murray
Donald Shaw is the creative producer of Glasgow's Celtic Connections festival. Picture: Bill Murray

In an exclusive interview with The Scotsman, he said he believed Scottish culture "deserves better" than current levels of investment, which are said to have remained "standstill" for the last 15 years, given its the global influence of its artists and performers.

The musician and composer, a founding member of the band Capercaillie, suggested people were producing new work and events "against the odds" due to a prolonged lack of investment.

Glasgow's Celtic Connections festival has been running since 1994. Picture Kris KesiakGlasgow's Celtic Connections festival has been running since 1994. Picture Kris Kesiak
Glasgow's Celtic Connections festival has been running since 1994. Picture Kris Kesiak | Kris Kesiak

Mr Shaw said artists and performers had been questioning the level of commitment for Scottish culture after seeing a "push back" on arts funding several times in recent years.

Mr Shaw was speaking as he announced next year's Celtic Connections programme, which will feature musicians from more than 20 countries.

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The line-up was unveiled weeks after a major music industry revolt over the closure of a Scottish Government fund for artists after ministers put more than £10m of Creative Scotland's budget on hold.

Karine Polwart, Withered Hand, Niteworks, Kathryn Joseph, Fergus McCreadie and Julie Fowlis, who have made regular appearances at Celtic Connections, all backed an open letter to First Minister John Swinney, who later agreed to release the £3m earmarked for the open fund.

The government previously promised to deliver £100m in new investment for the arts industry by 2028. However the future funding of music festivals, theatres, arts venues and organisations is in limbo until at least the end of January after the government refused to commit a budget to Creative Scotland's next long-term funding programme, which was due to be announced this month.

Industry leaders have highlighted how just 0.5 per cent of government spending is allocated for culture in Scotland, compared to an average of 1.5 per cent across Europe.

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Mr Shaw said: "Support that delivers cash to organisations would give a sense of confidence to the whole cultural sector. That is what is needed from the government more than anything.

"The know themselves that they are behind the curve in terms of other European nations. For a country that is portrayed internationally as somewhere with a unique and influential culture I think it deserves better. I think the government probably knows that.

"I know it has challenges and has to balance the books. But it needs to show a bigger sense of commitment to culture. Any time there is a push back in terms of public funding towards culture there is a question mark for artists, across all art forms.

"The cultural community is very resilient and is consistently trying to produce against the odds. We are in a society now where everyone has to shout from the rooftops to try to get what they can. It would be nice to think we can get some sense of stability for the next few years."

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Culture secretary Angus Robertson said: "Celtic Connections continues to grow its global reputation as one of Scotland’s foremost festivals and an event we are proud to support, bringing together world-class talent and showcasing the very best in folk, roots and international music."

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