by Bill Heaney
Scottish Labour has pledged to “back Scotland’s world-class arts sector” with new plans to support artists and help creative industries grow.
The party accused the SNP of “paying lip service” to the culture sector but failing to deliver, highlighting years of budget cuts.
Scottish Labour has pledged to make arts and culture an “engine of growth” and help creatives in Scotland “set up, scale up and thrive”.
As part of the party’s plans to unlock the economic potential of creative arts, the party will pilot a new payment for creative entrepreneurs.
Scottish Labour will also:
- support creative tech businesses in scaling up using enterprise agencies, the Scottish National Investment Bank and Tech Scaler.
- Back Scotland’s world-famous festivals and events with a Major Events Bureau and work to attract more international investment.
- Set up a creative capital fund to upgrade and protect venues.
- Reform Creative Scotland to make it more transparent and accountable, and put more money in the hands of artists.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: “Scotland’s arts and culture sector is world-renowned, but for too long it has been held back by an SNP government that expects the sector to survive on warm words.
“John Swinney and the SNP are happy to pay lip service to our arts sector, but when it comes to delivery, it is a different story.
“Scotland’s creative industries are so important to our national culture, our identity and our economy, and they need a government that is truly on their side.
“Scottish Labour will make arts and culture engines of growth and deliver opportunities in every part of Scotland.
“We will unlock the full potential of Scotland’s arts and make sure creative businesses in Scotland can set up, scale up and thrive.
“On May 7, we can deliver a better future for Scottish arts by electing a Scottish Labour government that will deliver action rather than rhetoric for the industry.”
Creative Enterprise Allowance – a weekly payment for early-stage creative entrepreneurs:
Too many talented individuals in the creative sector lack the support to take that first step, especially if they come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Scottish Labour will back creative entrepreneurship with targeted early-stage support. We will pilot a Creative Enterprise Allowance, supporting up to 1,000 creatives and artists with their living costs as they establish their enterprise. This will require a business plan and a modest investment from participants to ensure accountability and ambition. Financial support for creative entrepreneurs – like that trialled in Ireland – can offer people the financial security to build sustainable businesses, develop intellectual property, and test new markets. This support is particularly crucial in high-risk, high-reward sectors like design, digital production and social enterprise.
Scottish Labour will:
- Make the creative economy a national industrial priority and fully integrate it into Scotland’s growth agenda.
- Make reform of the skills system work for the creative industries.
- Deliver dedicated support for creative technology businesses, ensuring Techscalers and Scottish Enterprise are set up to help grow innovative creative industry businesses.
- Establish a Major Events Bureau, strengthening the Edinburgh festivals and positioning venues across Scotland as leading destinations for world class sport, culture, and international conferences.
- Reform Creative Scotland, improving transparency and accountability so it is representative and responsive to people from all backgrounds. We will ensure creative funding is put in the hands of artists, supports fair work, and delivers for the sector.
- Designate a creative capital fund, to deliver financial support to upgrade and protect venues across the country.