Open letter to Scottish Culture Secretary, Fiona Hyslop

Dancer and choreographer

Artist/Performer/Artistic Director

Time to take steps towards a change for the better.

Yes

Funding decisions are difficult, and unavoidably divisive (some winners some losers) so the key ingredient for all involved becomes the *integrity* of the decision making process, and the vision / strategy that the funders are guided by and aiming for. So, when funding decisions like the recent RFO ones come along (cutting funding to children's theatre in the Year of Young People, for example) the vision & strategy are lacking. The decision to change tack, later on, and only after criticisms, looked weak and unprincipled (How did they get it so wrong first time round)? It's time for honesty and integrity to make a long overdue comeback at Creative Scotland or its successor.

PhD researcher / Illustrator

Freelance dance artist

I'll pass on the comments. It's likely to insult.

Musician, Storyteller, Physical performer. I wholeheartedly agree with the content of this open letter.

Creative Producer

Promoter

Lighting Designer

Indeed, well said.

Filmmaker

All for this forum. Any decision should be put on hold meantime. Dr Tommy Fowler, composer

Live artist & director.

The arts are fundamental to a healthy Scotland

Visual Artist based in the Hebrides.

I don’t believe in government interfering in funders decisions, however crazy, and I am not keen on trial by online petition. But when two people I respect highly Ruth Wishart and Maggie Kinloch resign from the board over the matter, despite being part of the decision in the first place,something is clearly VERY wrong. Please investigate.

Rebecca Rowe (composer and Music educator) Much more must be done to strengthen Music and Arts education and to see that through to its logical conclusion: support, funding and promotion of and for the Arts in a way that nurtures new talent but pays due reverence and acknowledgment to the current cornerstones of good practice and artistic integrity.