CALL FOR FAIR DEAL ON CASH FOR ARTS VENUES
AGLASGOW councillor is urging the Scottish Government to invest more in the city’s museums and cultural venues after lockdown.
Labour councillor Martin McElroy who is also a board member of Glasgow Life, believes the city should benefit from a share of the £97 million awarded to Holyrood by the UK Government to supports the arts and heritage sectors.
Mr McElroy said the has received some organisation “scary” warnings about future funding and believes Glasgow venues should be given their fair share.
On Monday night, buildings across the city, including the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS), joined the #LightItInRed nationwide campaign to draw attention to the critical condition of the live events and entertainment industry.
Mr McElroy said: “The SNP government has cut Glasgow’s budget every year for 12 years.
“This has meant fewer resources for our museums and cultural venues in the city.
“This combined with the huge drop in income Glasgow Life and theatre companies generate due to Covid-19 has the potential to spell disaster.
“The emergency funding announced by the Chancellor this week is welcome and the Scottish Government must give Glasgow our fair share.
“It could mean the difference between keeping our hard-fought cultural reputation or losing it forever.”
The councillor has also raised concerns that nationally important collections are funded by Glasgow taxpayers, whereas they are
A THUG who spat on a man then laughed and claimed he had coronavirus has been jailed for 21 months.
Voeller Kwatabyala, 32, first confronted dog-owner Raymond Thomson, 52, and told him he didn’t like his pet. Mr Thomson was left “shaken” by the incident at Glasgow’s Forth and Clyde Canal in April.
Kwatabyala pleaded guilty funded by the Scottish Government in Edinburgh.
He said: “Our city is home to some of the most important collections in the country, yet we get no funding from the Scottish Government for our museums and venues.
“The Scottish Government needs to look again at how culture is funded and give our city a fair share of funding.”
Two nights ago, 500 landmarks across the UK lit up in “emergency red” to draw attention to the threat posted to the live events and entertainment industry.
Inspired by Germany’s #NightofLight protest in June which resulted in €1 billion in emergency arts funding, the #LightItInRed campaign saw at least 564 buildings illuminated, including the RCS.
Councillor David McDonald, chairman of Glasgow Life, said that like Glasgow Life, cultural, arts and heritage institutions across the UK and beyond have been hit hard by the coronavirus crisis.
Mr McDonald said: “As one of Scotland’s biggest charities we strive to provide access to the art we love, the culture which gives
at Glasgow Sheriff Court to the assault. A not guilty plea was accepted to him trying to kick the dog and threatening to throw it in the canal.
The court heard Mr Thomson was walking his dog when Kwatabyala walked towards him under the influence of drink or drugs. Mr Thomson asked him to move away from his personal space.
Prosecutor Mark Allan said:
Picture: Robert McFadzean
“In response, the accused spat towards Mr Thomson causing saliva to land on the front of his body warmer. The accused then shouted ‘By the way I’ve got that coronavirus’ and started laughing.”
Mr Thomson walked away and contacted the police who later traced Kwatabyala nearby. He told officers that he did not have the virus.
Chris Munro, defending, our life meaning and the learning which helps us grow.
“We exist to engage, educate and inspire the citizens of and visitors to Glasgow.
“The complete shutdown of Glasgow’s museums, galleries, theatres and arts venues for more than three months, together with the cancellation of most of the city’s events and festivals this year, means the tens of millions of pounds of income which supports everything we do has been wiped out.
“We warmly welcome the Scottish Government’s announcement of additional funding to support cultural institutions in the wake of Covid-19.
“Culture is for and must remain accessible to everyone.
“This package underlines the importance of culture and the vital contribution it makes to the economy and the wellbeing of our communities.
“We are in touch with the Scottish Government and our partners across the sector to ensure that Glasgow’s cultural and heritage community accesses this much-needed funding support.”
The government needs to look again at how culture is funded
said the dad-of-one, who has degrees in drama and marketing, dislikes dogs.
He said: “The dog was sniffing and nibbling at his leg.
“The owner said the dog wouldn’t do any harm and he didn’t like that. He took a foolish overreaction which would have been alarming.”
Kwatabyala had been freed early from prison at the time of the offence.