Arts groups face uncertainty as funding news delayed

Today’s delay has been met with disbelief and despair by a sector which is teetering on the brink.

A number of organisations have begun scaling back and launching fundraising campaigns to keep afloat.

With 281 groups bidding for £87.5m there was no guarantee of funds for everyone and the much talked about £6m which has yoyo-ed back and forth for the past year is part of the support package for those who fail to secure that funding.

Now they must wait for a further three months to find out whether the applications they filed last year have been successful.

For organisations like the Brunton Theatre in Musselburgh, it’s a further pressure on an already fragile situation.

The Brunton – marking its 30th anniversary year – has had to deal with the pandemic, the discovery of RAAC in its building, and a 50% cut in support from the council.

While it awaits news of its Creative Scotland grant application, the trust which runs it has just announced a fund-raising campaign to keep it afloat.

And that’s just one part of a sector which is in crisis.

Individual projects like The Kings Theatre in Edinburgh are struggling with the challenges of rising costs and fewer resources. It will now be 2026 before the refurbishment is completed and they too will require extra support.

National companies – whose funding comes direct from the Scottish government – have also warned of the pressures and both museums and galleries fear closures without an increase in funding.

Angus Robertson says he is “100% committed to trying to deliver increased funding for the arts”.

It’s a promise which the whole sector hopes he keeps. Whether they’re still around to benefit is another question entirely.