MSP calls for north-east arts to get their fare share of funding
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North -east arts and cultural organisations must receive a fair share of a £97 million coronavirus support package given to Holyrood, according to a local MSP.
Peter Chapman spoke following the announcement by the UK Government of a £1.57 billion rescue package to help weather the impact of coronavirus.
Via the Barnett formula, the Scottish Government will receive just shy of £100m for institutions north of the border.
And North East regional MSP Mr Chapman says that money must be passed on “in full” and “on an equitable basis”.
He said:“Today, arts organisations should be in no doubt that the UK Government knows they are struggling and financial support is here.
“We just need that money passed on in full and on an equitable basis, to spread the benefit as far as possible – not just in the Central Belt.
“The talent and creativity of Scottish arts organisations is renowned throughout the UK and internationally.
“I know they have the creativity and resilience to bounce back better than ever with the right support."
Thousands of organisations across a range of sectors including the performing arts and theatres, heritage, historic palaces, museums, galleries, live music and independent cinema will be able to access emergency grants and loans.
The money, which represents the biggest ever one-off investment in UK culture, will provide a lifeline to vital cultural and heritage organisations across the country hit hard by the pandemic.
It will help them stay afloat while their doors are closed.
Funding to restart paused projects will also help support employment, including freelancers working in these sectors.
A targeted £10 million fund to support Scotland’s performing arts venues has at the same time been announced by Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop.
The Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund will help venues who cannot yet reopen to their audiences due to the ongoing impact of coronavirus and will be run by Creative Scotland
Ms Hyslop said: “Our theatres and performing arts venues and the talented freelancers who work with them are an essential part of the fabric of Scotland’s culture and communities and promote our international reputation, and we are determined that they will survive and be able to thrive again.
“We reacted quickly to help culture and the creative industries from the earliest days of this pandemic, including through the £120m Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund, which is unique to Scotland. "This new fund is the next step.
“Our performing arts venues effectively had to close overnight, with an almost complete loss of income.
"There is no doubt that in doing so they saved lives, and for that I am extremely grateful.
"This dedicated fund will be a vital lifeline to help performing arts venues continue to weather the storm.
"We are also actively considering support for grassroots music venues.
“We know the impact of this crisis will be long-term so ambitious action to support the future of these organisations, as well as our wider cultural infrastructure, is vital."
