Traditional Scottish arts ‘snubbed’ by Creative Scotland

SCOTLAND’S traditional arts are being snubbed by the national culture body amid claims of “favouritism and superiority,” MSPs have been told.

Creative Scotland has been accused of ignoring the nation's traditional arts. Picture: Neil Hanna

The annual Gaelic showpiece, the national Mod, is among the projects which have been frozen out of funding by Creative Scotland, prompting claims it has “failed” Gaels.

The Traditional Music and Song Association (TMSA) have also claimed they face a constant battle for “parity” with other arts forms, Holyrood’s culture committee heard.

John Morrison, chief executive of An Comunn Gàidhealach, which stages the Mod, has claimed the absence of any funding for the event - which sees thousands gather each year in a celebration of Gaelic music and heritage - is an “indictment” of Creative Scotland.

“Sadly from our point of view they fail our Gaelic community - the Gaelic traditional arts community and the Gaelic creative community,” he said in a submission to MSPs.

“We do not see effectiveness, nor partnership working, nor support.

“Our view is dominated by superiority, favouritism, challenging funding applications with considerable delays, and co-operative working with the favoured few only.”

Janet Archer, chief executive at Creative Scotland, told MSPs the body is “interested in Gaelic culture and all it has to offer.” Organisations with a “substantial focus” on Gaelic got 6.4 per cent of funding last year.

“We are interested in the Mod - it’s a highly successful and very strong part of Gaelic culture,” she told MSPs.

Ms Archer admitted a funding bid from the Mod “wasn’t successful”.

But talks are under way to see if the Mod’s application can be “strengthened” for 2016.

The Traditional Music and Song Association (TMSA) found itself rejected for a £5,000 funding application for local community projects encouraging youngsters to get involved.

TMSA convener Fiona Campbell said traditional arts did not get the “special place it needs”.

“We are constantly having to make the case internally for traditional arts to be considered on a parity with art forms,” she added in a submission to MSPs.

Highlands and Island MSP Mary Scanlon said the organisations felt “badly let down” by Creative Scotland.

“Why is there such a gap in empathy, understanding and support for the Gaelic community from Creative Scotland?” the Tory MSP asked.

“Why are they so marginalised, why do they feel so excluded, why do they feel so let down by Creative Scotland?”

Ms Archer said traditional music was treated equally with other art forms.

“We have one open project fund and everybody who applies for it is treated the same way.”