The Scottish government has announced that it plans to increase its Culture, Tourism and Major Events budget by about 10%, as outlined in its draft budget for 2018-19.
According to the statement, made in December, the budget for Culture, Tourism and Major Events will rise from £226.2m in 2017-18 to £248.7m in 2018-19.
As part of this, the Creative Scotland and Other Arts budget will increase from £52.1m in 2017-18 to £70.5m in 2018-19.
Spending on Major Events is to rise from £30.3m in 2017-18 to £36.8m in 2018-19.
However, the government also announced a third consecutive year of cuts to the Cultural Collections fund, which will fall from £77m in 2017-18 to £73.4m in the coming year.
The Culture, Tourism and Major Events budget includes support for free access to the National Library of Scotland, National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) and National Museums Scotland (NMS), and provides funding for non-national museums and libraries through grant schemes administered by Museums Galleries Scotland and the Scottish Library & Information Council.
‘Tight rein on costs’
A spokeswoman for NMS says it will have to “keep a tight rein on costs”, while expanding its earned income.
An NGS statement says it is pleased the Scottish government continues to recognise the importance of the national art collections for culture, wellbeing and economic growth.
“It remains a challenge to balance budgets against a background of rising demand for our services, as well as the rising costs of protecting and caring for our world-class collections,” says the NGS statement. “However, we are committed to providing the widest possible access across all of our amazing galleries.”
Despite a positive reaction to the budget, with many believing it shows the Scottish government’s commitment to culture and the arts, there is concern that the wider museum sector will fail to benefit.
Nicola Wilson, a Museums Association representative in Scotland, says the draft budget has been well received overall, but adds that she was disappointed by a third year of cuts to the cultural collections budget.
“Unfortunately, this news is becoming a regular headline,” says Wilson, who is collections curator at Fife Cultural Trust. “The cuts will increase pressure on the non-nationals, which also risk facing budget cuts at local levels.
“As the cost of protecting and caring for collections continues to rise, and budgets continue to go down, there will become a greater focus on income generation for many museums to fill this gap.”
Wilson describes the increase in funding at Creative Scotland as welcome news, but casts doubt on the museum sector benefiting, as much of the funding has already been allocated.
“I don’t think the museum sector will see a significant benefit from this funding increase, as Creative Scotland and the creative industries are as similarly stretched as the museum sector,” she says.
The draft budget is now out for consultation, with a final vote due to be held on 19 February.
According to the statement, made in December, the budget for Culture, Tourism and Major Events will rise from £226.2m in 2017-18 to £248.7m in 2018-19.
As part of this, the Creative Scotland and Other Arts budget will increase from £52.1m in 2017-18 to £70.5m in 2018-19.
Spending on Major Events is to rise from £30.3m in 2017-18 to £36.8m in 2018-19.
However, the government also announced a third consecutive year of cuts to the Cultural Collections fund, which will fall from £77m in 2017-18 to £73.4m in the coming year.
The Culture, Tourism and Major Events budget includes support for free access to the National Library of Scotland, National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) and National Museums Scotland (NMS), and provides funding for non-national museums and libraries through grant schemes administered by Museums Galleries Scotland and the Scottish Library & Information Council.
‘Tight rein on costs’
A spokeswoman for NMS says it will have to “keep a tight rein on costs”, while expanding its earned income.
An NGS statement says it is pleased the Scottish government continues to recognise the importance of the national art collections for culture, wellbeing and economic growth.
“It remains a challenge to balance budgets against a background of rising demand for our services, as well as the rising costs of protecting and caring for our world-class collections,” says the NGS statement. “However, we are committed to providing the widest possible access across all of our amazing galleries.”
Despite a positive reaction to the budget, with many believing it shows the Scottish government’s commitment to culture and the arts, there is concern that the wider museum sector will fail to benefit.
Nicola Wilson, a Museums Association representative in Scotland, says the draft budget has been well received overall, but adds that she was disappointed by a third year of cuts to the cultural collections budget.
“Unfortunately, this news is becoming a regular headline,” says Wilson, who is collections curator at Fife Cultural Trust. “The cuts will increase pressure on the non-nationals, which also risk facing budget cuts at local levels.
“As the cost of protecting and caring for collections continues to rise, and budgets continue to go down, there will become a greater focus on income generation for many museums to fill this gap.”
Wilson describes the increase in funding at Creative Scotland as welcome news, but casts doubt on the museum sector benefiting, as much of the funding has already been allocated.
“I don’t think the museum sector will see a significant benefit from this funding increase, as Creative Scotland and the creative industries are as similarly stretched as the museum sector,” she says.
The draft budget is now out for consultation, with a final vote due to be held on 19 February.