Why must we always assume that events like Aye Write have to be subsidised?
BRIAN Wilson (“So the book festival has been ‘saved’? Aye, right!”, The Herald, April 18) hits the nail on the head about the use of public subsidy for events. Aye Write has not been “saved”. A significant award from the Weir Foundation has convinced Glasgow Life to go ahead with a series of one-off talks spread across several weeks which it could have afforded anyway. Mr Wilson is correct when he says the ticket money will more than cover the expenses of the venue and the speakers.
The real question is why there is this assumption that an event cannot take place unless it has public subsidy. I could list dozens of venues and events that take place without subsidy. There is a case for subsidy when the costs are greater than the tickets and sponsorship income, for example orchestras. Subsidy should be awarded because the cultural activity can’t make ends meet and can prove that. Then it is up to Creative Scotland or whoever to decide whether that is worth it. Sometimes not. The Aye Write episode seems to suggest that without subsidy it can’t take place. I agree with Mr Wilson that this is a false argument. Glasgow Life itself is a multi-million-pound organisation subsidised by the council. It’s a question of management.
Mr Wilson also highlights the fracas which is going on surrounding the Fringe. The Fringe Society, of which I used to be the head back in the 1980s, does not require subsidy as it is a membership organisation taking a fee from each participant and a percentage of ticket sales. Its turnover in 2022 according to its accounts was £6 million. The venues and the companies putting on the Fringe shows are the ones taking the risks, and these risks are indeed high these days.
I’m not sure the public is aware of the difference between the Fringe Society and the venues or the theatre companies who make up “the Fringe” and who are the ones most exposed to the horrific accommodation costs and venue rentals. The Fringe is indeed in need of some serious rethinking, but it’s a complex situation. Just chucking money at it will not solve anything.
Michael Dale, Former Director Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, Glasgow.