Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has warned about the threat to cultural investment outside of the central belt, following a committee hearing with cultural organisations.
In the session, the Scottish Conservative MSP questioned Steven Roth, the executive director of Scottish Ballet, and Lucy Casot, Chief Executive of Museums Galleries Scotland.
Both pointed to significant challenges to the work of cultural organisations outside the central belt, highlighting a lack of investment and capacity driven by financial issues.
Jamie Halcro Johnston said: “These cultural bodies have been incredibly candid about the impact flat budgets from the Scottish Government are having on them delivering core functions outside of the central belt.
“Scottish Ballet has already cut its work in Inverness and there is a wider concern about abilities to reach all of Scotland. Asked about the future, the head of Scottish Ballet confirmed that five more years of static budgets would mean the organisation being essentially ‘in the central belt only’ despite speaking at length about the value of the five national performing companies’ work in the Highlands and Islands and other parts of Scotland.
“Meanwhile our museums sector is seeing a mixed bag of successful small local museums in some cases, but others really struggling with a lack of investment. Museums Galleries Scotland recognise that the region’s museums and galleries face a backdrop that is challenging and ‘pretty dire in some cases’.
“Scottish Ballet’s Steven Roth also pointed to the enormous increase in the cost of touring, and the additional cost the expected ‘tourism tax’ on overnight stays will have on performing arts.
“I highlighted the role of local museums in supporting Orkney’s tourism sector and cultural offering, and the important outreach that some of these national bodies do in our communities. But it’s clear that is threatened by a succession of Scottish Government funding cuts over a number of years.
“This session has made for depressing listening to those who care about the important role of cultural organisations in our region. National cultural bodies must remain truly national, and that means being able to support work in the Highlands and Islands as well as across other parts of Scotland outside of Glasgow and Edinburgh.”
