Govanhill artists welcome u-turn on Creative Scotland funding, but vow to continue to fight
Govanhill artists joined the unions in their continued fight for arts funding. Though Creative Scotland funding has been reinstated, the arts community remains concerned about future uncertainties, especially the impact cuts would have on working-class communities. Protesters called for a progressive tax system in the broader fight to preserve public funding, not just for the arts and culture sector.
Local artists preparing to board the protest bus to the parliament (Thursday 5 September).
By Devon McCole
“While we’re encouraged by the Scottish Government’s decision to reinstate funding for the Open Fund, it’s clear that our collective efforts – unions, artists, and the wider industry – played a crucial role in this development. However, this victory is not the end of our fight.”
That was the statement of the Govanhill Baths Community Trust for those who were interested in joining the protest bus from Govanhill to the Scottish Parliament on Thursday - even inviting people on social media to take the remaining seats on the bus - confirming the protest was still going ahead.
They made this statement after the Scottish government reversed their decision to cut funding for the Creative Scotland (the body that hands out arts funding on the government's behalf) Open Fund just a day before the planned protest, following the immense pressure from those working in the arts and culture sector in Scotland.
The initial decision to cut back on spending on the arts and culture sector sparked outrage among many people and confusion. People highlighted Shona Robinson’s pledge to boost the 2024-25 culture budget by £15.8 million in December 2023.
Equity, the UK wide union for the performing arts and entertainment industry, have stated they are “still awaiting clarity” on Shona Robinson’s decision from last year, much of which they say “remains unconfirmed.”
These concerns were echoed by local artists on the bus as it made its way to Holyrood, including Mikael Phillips, founder of Under the Rug Theatre: “Even though they're backtracked on it, there's no certainty that it's going to stay that way. So we've decided to make some signs, because in Scotland we support the culture, and without the arts there's no culture in Scotland. So we're making sure it stays strong.”
Another artist who joined the protest bus, Sean McGarvey, stressed why ensuring the arts and culture sector is publicly funded is so important for working class communities:
“The arts are very important. I want to be an artist. I grew up in a working class community and I discovered the arts in the city. I work for Platform in Easterhouse doing outreach work there. I've seen first hand how the arts can improve people’s lives.”
Simone Stewart, the arts and heritage manager for The Baths, said this was exactly why they felt it was so important to arrange transport for local artists who work in Govanhill, and make sure their voices are heard:
“Artists do vital work in our communities. They're the key workers of a lot of community work that we do. If you were an innovator, you'd never cut your innovation part to your company. And so it does seem a bit bonkers that people want to cut the arts because the arts are doing lots of improvisational work around climate change and new ways of living. The Open Project Fund is a key fund for them to incubate really important ideas.”
Indepen-dance, an award-winning, inclusive dance company for disabled and non-disabled people in Scotland, also had a presence at the protest. We spoke to dancer Penny who told us why she was there: “I work as a freelance dance artist but I also work a lot in the community settings. I'm really concerned about how these cuts will affect art on all levels. I really believe, particularly in our current time, that engagement with the arts and the possibility to do so is really important.
“Art isn’t just for the ‘elite’ that travels around the world; that idea really doesn’t represent Scotland in terms of local audiences and how we engage both across the central belt to a much wider and rural setting. It’s important we are able to support working people who want to engage in art and dance on a community level.”
Protesters face the stage outside Holyrood as speakers arrive.
People from all across Scotland made their way to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh that afternoon to show their solidarity. Speeches were given by speakers from various different unions, like Rozanne Foyer, the General Secretary for the Scottish Trade Union Centre.
Her speech was met with a roar of approval as she criticised the Scottish Government’s adversarial resistance to introducing a “progressive tax system” to replace outdated ones like the council tax – which she labelled “a tax for the poor” – instead of introducing more cuts to our public services and UK industry sectors, like the arts and culture sector.
Their hopes now are that the government continues to listen to them and stop removing or reducing the services and funding made available to the lowest earners in our society, who rely on these funds and opportunities to have their needs met and their voices heard.
The next announcement on funding is expected to be released this October and many people, who are still unsure of what the future might hold, will be closely watching the decisions of the Culture Secretary, Angus Roberston, First Minister John Swinney, and Creative Scotland.
