Ariane Burgess MSP is calling for more funding for the arts from the Scottish Government

A POLITICIAN from Forres is calling for reassurances from the Scottish Government about the future of culture funding in Scotland.

In light of the executive’s recent commitment to increase culture funding by at least an additional £100million a year by 2028-29, Highlands and Islands MSP Ariane Burgess asked how much of the extra investment will be directed towards community arts and placemaking.

She said: "Community arts organisations are the heartbeat of our cultural identity and play a pivotal role in enhancing our communities.

“It is imperative that we have a clear and secure funding strategy to support these organisations and the invaluable work they do."

Ms Burgess also highlighted the significant role that community arts organisations play in placemaking across Moray and the Highlands, specifically mentioning Findhorn Bay Arts as a key contributor to the cultural landscape.

However, the Greens MSP expressed concerns about the lack of a clear route map for arts funding and the current low levels of funding relative to other European nations.

Ms Burgess pointed out that these organisations, along with others nationwide, have established the #InvestInCulture campaign to underscore the value of the culture sector and to voice their concerns about the security of the £100 million funding pledge.

She called on the Scottish Government to provide a detailed route map for funding community arts and placemaking to ensure the sustainability and growth of this vital sector.

Further details of funding for the culture sector were announced in the budget but did not provide reassurance for organisations such as Findhorn Bay Arts.

Ms Burgess said: “The £34m increase in culture spending is welcome but the vast majority of that funding will be going to Creative Scotland and the National Collections – most of which are located in the central belt.

“Only an extra £300,000 has been allocated to other arts and activity.

“All the organisations I mentioned have benefited from Creative Scotland funding in the past but having to make repeated grant applications to programmes and schemes developed elsewhere does not provide long-term certainty or empower local arts organisations to try innovative local approaches.”