Has the pressure eased for culture sector’s ‘perfect storm’? 

Last year, the Committee reported that Scotland’s culture sector was facing a ‘perfect storm’ of financial pressures as a result of long-term budget pressure as well as the COVID-19 pandemic and the on going cost of living crisis.

Now the Committee wants to know if there has been any change in these budgetary pressures and what impact the Scottish Government’s budget for 2023-24 has had on Scotland’s cultural sector.

It also wants to know what progress has been made towards the innovative solutions it called for last year.

Committee Convener, Clare Adamson MSP said:

“We heard blunt warnings last year from across Scotland’s cultural sector that stark choices lay ahead.

“As we look ahead to the Scottish Government’s 2024-25 budget, we want to find out what this landscape looks like now.

“At a time of budgetary pressure, there are no quick or easy answers. But we want to know what progress has been made towards the innovative solutions that are so clearly needed and what more can be done.

“We want to hear from those working in this sector across Scotland to find out if the pressure has eased.”

Another question being asked is how the refresh to the Scottish Government’s Culture Strategy Action Plan can inform future budgetary decisions within the sector.

The call for views is open until 18 August. The link to the call for views can be found below.

Let the Committee know your views