A Culture Act can realise “untapped potential” of sector at critical juncture
Arts and culture organisations across Scotland have joined forces to urge politicians to bring forward new legislation in the next Scottish Parliamentary term.
The campaign is being led by Culture Counts, Scotland’s network of arts, heritage and creative industries organisations. It has argued that a Culture Act for Scotland is crucial to enable the sector to play its role in driving economic growth and delivering against other key policy objectives like health and social care and education.
The creative industries are a significant driver in Scotland’s economy, generating a gross value add of more than £5,700 million, nearly four per cent of the nation’s total economic output. However, campaigners say there is “untapped potential” within the sector that that could be unlocked to deliver greater economic and social impact and further grow Scotland’s international profile.
Culture Counts wants to see a new bill brought forward after the Holyrood election in May, which would deliver long-term security for cultural investment, establish statutory duties for public bodies to plan for and support culture, improve access to culture and cultural assets by overcoming geographic and demographic barriers to participation and opportunity, encourage creative entrepreneurship, all while protecting current funding steams and enshrine the need to consider the impact of new policy developments on the sector.
Research has shown that people living in lower-income households, those living with a disability, or people with fewer qualifications are less likely to participate in cultural activities. There is also a persistent regional disparity in terms of the level of funding dedicated to supporting culture across local authorities.
Culture Counts believes that funding alone is only one part of the equation, and that new legislation is needed to ensure that the delivery of cultural services is fair, equitable and sustainable across Scotland. It believes now is a critical moment to stabilise the sector and enable long-term future growth, following the recent commitment from the Scottish Government to increase cultural investment by £100m annually by 2028/29.
Joseph Peach, co-director of Culture Counts, said, “Scotland’s culture sector is world leading, a key driver of international reputation and economy. It also plays a central – but often overlooked - role in solving our most challenging social problems and supporting our other key policy objectives.
“There is untapped potential in the sector. We do not simply want to safeguard the status quo, we want to enable the sector to grow and thrive, acting as a key driver of our economy, society and global reputation. But to do this, we need a new legislative framework. Now is the perfect time to put the sector on a strategic and long-term footing, helping Scottish Government’s investment deliver the greatest benefit for everyone in Scotland – regardless of your circumstances.”
Culture Counts’ campaign points to several European states that have passed similar laws, setting out consistent and joined up thinking on how local and national government should plan, deliver and evaluate cultural services and infrastructure, and integrate it into other areas of policy and delivery.
States like Lithuania, Slovenia and the Netherlands have legislation in place to ensure sufficient financial support for the sector, while Sweden, Finland, Norway and Ireland all have an agreed legislative approach to cross-cutting cultural planning.
The campaign urges Scotland’s political parties to commitment to new legislation ahead of the election. The calls come at a key time for the sector, with the independent review of Creative Scotland due to publish its recommendations later this month.
Community Leisure UK is also partnering with Culture Counts on the campaign.
Board member Heather Stuart said: “Culture and creativity aren’t luxuries, they are fundamental to who we are and how our communities thrive. Culture strengthens wellbeing, tackles inequality, builds confidence and connection, and yet despite that impact there is still no statutory duty for bodies to invest in or report on cultural outcomes. “Culture is too often at risk and squeezed by short term pressures, but legislation could unlock long-term change, strengthening not constraining local decision-making.”
