Open letter to Scottish Culture Secretary, Fiona Hyslop

Musician

Actor/musician

Have shared. :-)

musician, composer and tutor

actor/director

Photographer

Writer

Musician, Tutor and research student.

Musician, Tutor and Research Student

I am a Scottish musician living in Norway and second everything James Clapperton said above.

Artistic Director & ceo Licketyspit Children’s Theatre Company specialising early years Innovative, excellent company. The lack of expertise in our area and lack of recognition or understanding of children’s rights st CS has made applying for CS funding into a complete lottery for us that increasingly has not felt a gamble we could afford to take. We did apply for RFO and for the second time I did not recognise our company in the feedbackApplications like this represent thousands of pounds of work.

Have had nothing but great experiences with hard working, dedicated music officers but am really concerned about the latest stuff in the media (given we had the same a few years back), especially the u-turn decision. Extremely worrying and disappointing.

Creative people need creative support.

Artist

President, Scottish Artists' Union

President, Scottish Artists' Union

I have been involved in the arts for over 44 years. I have never recieved funding from Scotland and found approaching creative scotland both confusing (as I was told several different things by several different workers) I’m a professionally trained actor,musician and artist. A member of Equity and once musicians union member. I have played performed and exhibited around the UK and also in LA. I have appeared in television and film as well as theatre but apperently I’m not suited to being funded as a scottish artiste. So who do creative scotland fund ?

Who else should be consulted, but those trying to deliver for the sector? It's not as if artists don't know how to express themselves...

This is a great idea for a progressive way forward. I do believe CS are supportive and communicative if you engage with them and their decisions but I think more integrated artist involvement is necessary for things to progress fairly.

Alex and Nicola have demonstrated their mettle in forging a new future for Scotland. Independence for Scotland is the way forward, and certainly not sleepwalking towards Brexit. But if Scotland is to be taken seriously we need an Arts Council that can be taken seriously. The Norwegian Arts Council has a simple and clear framework which is both understandable and backed up by clear decision making. Scotland needs to be ruthless and go for the most qualified individuals. Individuals who can take responsibility for Scotland's cultural future, and above all gain respect from artists. We are all exhausted by nonsense speak and whimsical decision making. It is after all, not the Scottish way. We as Scots cut through the crap. Fiona, if your banter about joining the Scandinavian community means anything...put some beef behind it. Clear out Creative Scotland and restaff it with people with a real vision for an independent Scotland who can renew and strengthen our national confidence. A national identity which is placed under great peril by Westminster during these uncertain times. Dr. James Clapperton