Open letter to Scottish Culture Secretary, Fiona Hyslop

It is pretty much impossible to earn a living as a freelance creative in Scotland at the moment, especially if both partners are freelance and supporting a family. So much more to say so all I'll ask is this; as this process moves forward - talk to all of us, really, otherwise the current drain of talent in Scotland will continue.

Communication, ostensibly what theatre is about, seems to have been somewhat lacking. Build on success, don't tick 'completed' and then abandon what's working.

Travelling Gallery, Scotland

Events and communities lead Platform glasgow

Scottish Contemporary Art Network

Theatre practitioner

Chair North East Open Studios

Money should not be given to already adequately funded commercial projects who dont need it and considering one response stated that the money wouldn,t make any difference to whether the film would be made here or not anyway that makes the point even clearer i thinkand after having a quick look at the creative scotland website and their guidelines about funding where they say money is given to projects that encourage getting people interested in art(like art workshops,art classes,community led projects and others which engage the community) then how does this satisfy that stipulation and although i am acquainted with Ellie Harrison the same applies to the £15,000 grant that she got.it.her project done nothing to promote or engage the general populace,s interest in Art.looking at the funding allocations table on the face of it i think it is fair that organizations and projects in more rural areas receive more funding to promote art and interest in it where there are less cultural activities for people to engage in there.I think the system is complicated but allocation of funding for projects has to always be decided by a body separate and independent of the projects themselves to maintain impartiality but totally agree that the organization/structure of the funding system needs to be seriously looked at.I think one key point that can be made using the netflix example is that where a project already has enough funding to be viable or completed then they shouldn,t be given any funding because they dont need it.i would also make the point that creative scotlands funding comes from two sources-Lottery Funding and government arts funding - so in both cases this is money that is coming from the public or the people.I know have been a bit long-winded here but after looking into the matter a bit these are my thoughts about it.

Artist & producer

This abuse of Scotland’s Artists must stop, they need support not neglect!

Arts Administrator, Coordinator and Facilitator.

Writer

Freelance Dance Artist

Supporter of Arts and Culture in Scotland.

https://hallidonto.wixsite.com/hallidonto

Actor and Writer/Director/Founder at TypeCast Productions - So many small companies like mine could really use even tiny percentages of the kind of money being granted to much larger and already better funded projects.

Choreographer/director and dancer

Scotland will be a poorer place without its culture

Artistic Director Licketyspit

Arts & Health Producer