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Creative Scotland review welcomed by Culture Secretary
Opportunities to improve culture sector support highlighted in new review.
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has welcomed the publication of the first ever independent review of Creative Scotland.
The review found that while the organisation’s remit is still relevant, changes are needed in how it delivers and leads to better meet the needs of Scotland’s cultural and creative sectors.
A total of 36 recommendations were made — most directed at Creative Scotland itself, with others aimed at enterprise agencies, local authorities and the Scottish Government. These cover areas such as purpose and structure, leadership, performance, finances, and collaboration across the sector.
Mr Robertson said:
“I warmly welcome this report that shows the area where change is needed to ensure Creative Scotland fulfils its potential to support our creative and cultural sectors. This is the first ever review of the organisation since its inception in 2010 and the context within which it operates has changed in the last 15 years.
“Having successfully delivered groundbreaking Multi-Year Funding for cultural organisations, Creative Scotland is now well placed to look at these review recommendations and help the arts and screen sector go from strength to strength.”
He added:
“As the Scottish Government continues to deliver its commitment to increase culture funding by £100 million per year, it remains vital to ensure the public sector partners tasked with supporting the sector are able to do so as effectively as possible. The recommendations of this review will be key to that.
“I will carefully consider the recommendations made for Scottish Government and will update parliament in due course.”
Angela Leitch, chair of the review, also thanked those who contributed:
“I am very grateful to everyone who has taken the time to attend an engagement session or send me their views.
“In concluding my Review of Creative Scotland it is evident that there is a need for a strong national body for the arts, culture and creative sector. However, improvements are required to ensure that Creative Scotland can fully deliver all aspects of its remit.
“While my report has focused on Creative Scotland there will need to be input from others including the Scottish Government, local authorities and enterprise agencies. It is therefore important for others to consider my recommendations.”
Recommendations include the need for Creative Scotland to revise and digitise all funding application processes to make them more proportionate and streamlined, reducing bureaucracy for both applicants and assessors and making it clear who determines funding and that Scottish Government should review how the culture portfolio functions within government, and how that impacts the remit across other government departments.
The review was announced in the 2024-25 Programme for Government and commissioned in January this year. It marks the first time Creative Scotland has been formally reviewed since it was set up in 2010. Angela Leitch chaired the process, supported by vice chair Stuart Currie.
