Creative Scotland needs reform to ensure ‘level playing field’ – Sarwar

Scotland’s national agency for the arts and culture sector needs reform to ensure a “level playing field”, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said.

Creative Scotland needs to be more transparent to ensure there is confidence that decisions are not made based on “whoever makes the most noise”, he said.

Scottish Labour set out its plans for the culture sector on Tuesday, with Mr Sarwar accusing SNP ministers of expecting it to “survive on warm words”.

The party is proposing to pilot a new payment for creative entrepreneurs, which it says will support artists with promising commercial plans, helping with living costs while they establish themselves.

In addition, it is promising to set up a major events bureau, to help support Scotland’s world famous festivals, working to help attract more international investment.

A new fund would also be established to upgrade and protect venues, and the arts body Creative Scotland would be reformed – with Labour promising changes to make it more transparent and accountable.

During a visit to Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh, Mr Sarwar said: “We will have greater transparency of Creative Scotland.

“We’ll make sure there’s greater accountability and make sure there’s a level playing field of access.

“So, we will reform Creative Scotland to make sure everyone feels they’re getting they support they need.”

He said that some felt that “whoever lobbies hardest, whoever makes the most noise, whoever’s got the best relationships with the government, perhaps gets more support”.

He said Scottish Labour would set out the amount of funding for the culture sector in its manifesto.

Angus Robertson, the SNP’s Culture Secretary who is a candidate for the Edinburgh Central MSP seat, said earlier: “Scotland’s arts and culture form an important part of our national identity and are renowned the world over – helping to promote the country to a global audience, boosting our economy by billions and supporting thousands of jobs.

“The SNP has shown its continued commitment to the culture sector with increased funding with recent research showing that spending on culture in Scotland far outstrips investment by Labour governments in England and Wales.

“While Westminster governments have hammered our creative sector with damaging policies including Brexit and Labour’s reckless tax on jobs, the SNP has stepped up to provide them with the support and certainty needed to flourish.”