Support from Holyrood for Arts in South West Scotland

The head of the Scottish Government arts agency Creative Scotland has reassured MSPs that Dumfries and Galloway will continue to get generous levels of funding despite a change in management at the agency 

Janet Archer CEO of Creative Scotland

Janet Archer was questioned by Joan McAlpine MSP at a meeting of the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Culture Committee.

Artists from Dumfries and Galloway wrote a public letter to the press last December pointing out that Creative Scotland had shifted its focus from the central belt to areas like Dumfries and Galloway.

They were concerned that a change in management after protests by artists might result in money once again being concentrated in urban areas but Ms Archer – who took over the post after the abrupt departure of Andrew Dixon – assured Ms McAlpine and other

MSPs on the committee that funds will continue to flow to the south-west.

When asked to address concerns that arts funding might once again become concentrated in the central belt Ms Archer said:

“It will not happen.

“I absolutely believe that everybody, no matter who they are or where they come from, has the right to have access to arts and culture. We are paying very strong attention to how we will be able to achieve that better in the future”.

Joan McAlpine MSP (centre) attending one of the public debates at Environmental Art Festival Scotland

 Commenting Ms McAlpine said:

“In my time as an MSP I have come across so many innovative artists and cultural organisations in the region, and funding from Creative Scotland is key to ensuring their voices are heard on a national platform.

“I was therefore pleased to hear that Janet Archer will continue to recognise the talent in the south west of Scotland with generous and much deserved funding.”