The arts are crucial for our society
Responding to the announcement that Creative Scotland Chief Executive Iain Munro will be stepping down, the Scottish Greens culture spokesperson Q Manivannan has called for grassroots arts to be at the heart of shaping the future of the organisation.
Last week Q hosted a summit for culture organisations and grassroots artists across Scotland to discuss their priorities for the years ahead. It was attended by representatives of Culture Counts, Basic Income for Artists Scotland, Federation of Scottish Theatres, Creative Balance, Historic Environment Scotland, National Theatre of Scotland, Scottish Artists Union, Musicians Union, Culture for Climate Scotland, Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland, the Scottish Music Industry Association, Equal Media and Culture Centre, Creative Lives, National Library of Scotland and Glasgow Life.
Q said:
“I want to thank Iain Munro for the work he has done for Creative Scotland and culture across our country.
“When someone who has been in such a crucial post for a significant period of time steps down it is also an opportunity to re-evaluate things and look at how we can do things differently.
“It has been a tough time for Creative Scotland, and a lot of artists, performers and people working across the sector are really worried about the future — specifically with calls for stronger multi-year funding for individuals and organisations alike.
“When we lose art spaces it’s not just the buildings we lose, it is the opportunity for them to create lifelong and enriching memories.
“The arts can’t be a nice-to-have or a reward for a functioning economy. They are what makes a community worth building in the first place.
“I hope that grassroots artists and organisations will play an active role in choosing Mr Munro’s successor, shaping the future of Creative Scotland and building a thriving sector across our country.”