Creative Scotland cuts ‘caused confusion’

MSPS have been told that Creative Scotland has created “instability, anxiety and distress” over the way it funds arts organisations, venues and events.

Evidence submitted to Holyrood has accused the quango of “moving the goalposts” before key decisions were made, putting the future survival of companies at risk and showing a “lack of care or understanding” over equality and diversity issues.

Submissions to the parliament’s culture committee – which will quiz chief executive Janetarchertoday–frombodies representing hundreds of different groups and organisations said the quango’s recent cuts have been “viewed with disbelief around the world”.

They said the quango caused “confusion, anger and increased stress” by telling groups whose funding has been cut to new “strategic” funds which did not exist yet.

Creative Scotland was forced into a partial climbdown over cuts to 20 companies following the intervention of culture secretary Fiona Hyslop. Two board members quit ahead of an emergency meeting ordered amid claims that the quango’s decision-making process had been “flawed”.

The latest claims have emerged just days after open letter protesting against Creative Scotland’s stewardship of Scottish culture demanded the Scottish Government gives artists and organisations more of a say in how key funding decisions are taken.