SCOTTISH actor Bill Paterson has joined Garbage lead singer Shirley Manson and other notable Scots to put pressure on the Scottish Government to invest in culture.
Paterson said enlightened arts support in the 1960s had changed his life as it enabled Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre to “open its doors” to his generation.
“It became my second home and 60 years later the arts in Scotland are in dire need of the same enlightenment,” he said.
“Supporting the arts isn’t a handout. It’s an investment.”
Paterson said the arts in Scotland needed to feel the same confidence today as they did in the 1960s.
“The rewards are so much greater than the investment,” he said.
Actor and director David Hayman, playwright and screenwriter Rona Munro, Rod Jones of Idlewild and Turner Prize-nominated artist Nathan Coley have also signed up to the new Invest in Culture campaign, along with Scots whose lives have been transformed and enriched by cultural experiences.
The campaign aims to highlight the value of culture as an engine for economic growth, a foundation for social wellbeing and a cornerstone of Scottish national identity.
The campaigners claim the arts make a vital contribution to Scotland’s national wealth and international reputation, as the creative industries contribute more than £5 billion to the Scottish economy every year and comprise more than 15,000 businesses employing more than 70,000 people.
Research has also found that nine out of 10 Scots value the impact culture makes on their lives and the campaigners are calling on everyone who values culture to add their voices and advocate for investment in the sector.
They point out that the Scottish Government’s 0.56% of national spend on culture, compared with the European average of 1.5%, puts it at the bottom of the league tables.
Despite this, Scottish arts organisations continue to over-deliver on limited resources, according to the campaigners.
However, the sector cannot be sustained without essential increased investment, they say, and are calling on the Scottish Government to follow through on their promise of long-term sustainable funding for the arts by increasing sector investment annually by at least £100 million by 2028/29.
“Scotland’s cultural sector is more than just a nice thing to have – it’s a cornerstone of our national identity, an engine for economic growth and a foundation for social wellbeing,” said Robert Kilpatrick, CEO and creative director of the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA).
“The value of investing in culture is clear and it’s a triple bottom line return. A well-supported cultural sector drives economic growth through tourism, job creation and local spending, with revenue helping fund our public services.
“Socially, it fosters inclusion, mental wellbeing and civic pride.
“Culturally, it sustains the art, heritage and stories that help define who we are both collectively and individually, allowing us to make sense of the past, and supporting us in shaping our future.”
However, he added: “To reap these benefits, the cultural sector needs committed, sustained investment over the long term. The strength of our sector lies in its people, and right now, many of those people are facing burnout, stress and existential threats to their work and livelihoods.
“Having recently met with the Culture Secretary to discuss both urgent funding challenges and building the support mechanisms needed for a sustainable future, it is clear that the intent and vision are there. But we now need to see it turned into action by the Scottish Government, starting with this week’s budget announcement.
“Together, we call on the Scottish Government to confirm a coherent timeline to achieve the promised increased investment of £100 million annually by 2028/29, including the incremental increase of £25 million by April 1 next year.
“This is essential to ensure that Scotland’s cultural sector is supported, safeguarded and sustained in the years to come, with the benefits to be shared by everyone who calls Scotland home.”
Learn more by visiting culturecounts.scot/investinculture.
