Greens will ensure fair funding for Scottish arts
The Scottish Greens have today set out a plan to introduce a stadium levy as part of a wider push to rebuild Scotland’s vibrant, yet struggling arts and cultural sector.
Under the proposal, a £1 levy would be placed on tickets for large-scale arts, cultural and music events with capacities over 2,500, making the biggest and most profitable promoters pay back to the grassroots community and cultural hubs that both sustain and nurture Scotland's cultural scene.
The funds would be collected and administered by local councils, and could be reinvested into areas of Scotland’s arts and cultural sector that need it most, such as grassroots venues, libraries and community spaces.
The policy comes as part of the Scottish Greens’ vision for a thriving and resilient cultural sector in Scotland, arguing that Scotland’s cultural sector and creative industry could be the backbone of a fairer society and future economy.
Scottish Greens spokesperson for Culture, Patrick Harvie said:
“Scotland’s arts and cultural scene is world-class. But right now too many of the spaces that sustain it are being pushed to the brink at no fault of their own.
“Grassroots venues are closing, libraries are disappearing, and community projects are struggling to keep going. We also need to tackle the deep inequalities that still exist in the sector, and make sure our cultural life reflects the full diversity of modern Scotland.
“From the closure of Glasgow’s Centre for Contemporary Arts to the recent outrageous treatment of the organisations based at Trongate 103, Scotland is already losing the spaces that make our diverse culture possible in the first place.
“At the same time far too many of Scotland’s creative talents are living precariously with low pay and insecure working conditions, a far cry from the “fair work” principles that the Scottish Government talks of.
“Our cultural sector should be at the heart of a fairer and more economically diverse Scotland. It has the power to transform our communities, support good jobs and help us build a more equal and sustainable country, while showcasing our talent on an international stage.
“That’s why we the Greens will demand better, including new ways to invest in our cultural section and the cultural hubs that help it thrive.
"Our proposed stadium tax makes the big-money shows and promoters pay a £1 levy on tickets at the largest events. This would raise vital funds needed for the grassroots venues and community spaces that we all love so much.
“We want councils to have the powers they need to invest these funds locally, and that they ensure smaller and rural communities benefit too. If we make sure that the biggest shows and promoters make a small contribution, we can protect our local spaces that nurture talent, bring people together and keep our communities alive."
Patrick added:
“But this is about more than one policy. We need a serious step change in how we support arts and culture, with proper investment, better pay and conditions for cultural workers, and overall stronger protections for artists who are competing with big tech and under-regulated AI.
“If we want a thriving cultural sector that is open to everyone, we need to back it. A £1 stadium tax will be an important first step.”