Creative Scotland under fire over controversial policy change

CREATIVE Scotland has faced strong criticism since it rolled out controversial funding policy shifts this month, moving nearly 50 organisations from annual funding to individual grant applications.

Arts insiders have privately questioned the way the agency is making funding decisions. They tell of complex grant forms, a struggle to meet with officers and no guarantees that experts in a sector are making decisions.

Public figures including Scottish jazz musician Tommy Smith, and playwright David Greig, have spoken out against the changes.

Hide Ad

Greig, a leading Scottish writer, posted an open letter on his blog which stated: “I’ve found no-one – artist, producer, writer, musician – who is in favour of the changes.” He also said there was “unvoiced opposition” to the changes.

Responding to Greig’s letter, a spokesman for Creative Scotland said: “Each organisation has been offered a meeting to discuss the outcome of the review and talk through their next steps.”

Sir Sandy Crombie, the agency’s chairman, insisted the changes will give the organisations the chance to access “greater resources” from lottery funding.