Creative Scotland Axes Over £1m in Funding from Three Disabled Arts Companies

Lung Ha studio (above) is to lose £440,455 in funding

DISMAY among many this week as Creative Scotland, Scotland’s national arts body announced it is to withdraw over £1m in funding from three of Scotland’s most prolific and inclusive culture and arts companies.

Today Creative Scotland unveiled its list of chosen companies to receive crucial three year funding plan, of which several key companies concerned with working with and/or for people with disabilities are noticeably absent.

Birds of Paradise(BOP), Lung Ha, and Janice Parker Projects are among 24 companies dropped by Creative Scotland in a shake up of its £99m aid grant, the grand total of which has eluded government cuts and remains untouched.

In total, the funding cut from all three companies equals £1,240,455.

For Birds of Paradise, a Glasgow based theatre company founded to promote positive images of inclusion in the arts, the news comes as particularly sour. Birds of Paradise is to celebrate 25 years since its founding.

In a statement, Robert Softley Gale, Artistic Director of BOP said:

“The board and staff are devastated at Creative Scotland’s decision. This is particularly difficult, in a celebratory year… now our future is uncertain.

By Creative Scotland cutting us in this way, it feels that these disabled stories aren’t meant to be part of the arts ecology in Scotland… If disabled-led and disabled-focused organisations take such a strong hit, how can they push for further representation, and in turn equality?”

Winners and Losers

116 organisations in total are to receive regular funding over the next three years, including 19 new funding recipients.

When reached for comment, Creative Scotland highlighted the new funding recipient 21 Common for which Ian Johnston, a leading artist who has a learning disability is an associate dance artist.

In response to an enquiry regarding the cuts to inclusive arts companies, Creative Scotland stated:

“All RFOs are committed to increasing access to artistic and creative work amongst communities across Scotland. In fact we have seen a 36% increase of organisations in the network with strong forward plans regarding Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).”

Companies concerned foremost with working with people who have disabilities that were spared funding cuts include Project Ability and Solar Bear, while Indepen-dance and Drake Music Scotland saw a modest funding increase.

TV Stars, MSPs and Charity Execs Urge Rethink

Over 50 campaigners including MSPs, television stars and charity execs have signed an open letter to Creative Scotland’s chief executive officer Janet Archer.

In the letter spearheaded by Labour politician Pam Duncan Glancy, and Jamie Szymkowiak from the One in Five Campaign, campaigners described the work of the BOP and Lung Ha theatre companies as “essential opportunities for people with learning disabilities.” Further stating:

"The fantastic work undertaken by Birds of Paradise and Lung Ha in recent years has supported emerging disabled artists, promoted disability equality and ensured that the stories of disabled people form part of Scotland's diverse arts scene.

Jamie Szymkowiak added:

“I can't write and campaign about disabled people's representation and see two of Scotland's leading theatre companies lose their funding without a fight.

We're looking at organising a demonstration against these cuts should the letter not have the desired effect. I hope this letter shows the strength of feeling across Scotland's disabled community and leads Creative Scotland to reverse their decision."

Birds of Paradise Theatre Company (above)

Creative Scotland said it was "fully committed to diversity and supports disabled artists".

Both companies are to receive funding until September, and Creative Scotland has said it would meet them to discuss further funding options.

Further Analysis & Implications Under Equalities Act

As a government body, Creative Scotland is beholden to the 2010 Equalities Act which looks to “eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation”, as well as “advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not”.

When reached for comment, Equality and Disabled Rights group Inclusion Scotland stated:

“Inclusion Scotland is currently looking at the implications of Creative Scotland’s funding decisions, particularly in relation to its Equality Act duties. We are, however, not yet in a position to comment beyond our disappointment that a number of disabled led arts organisations have had their funding cut.”

Though most if not all artistic groups and collectives funded by Creative Scotland are undoubtedly inclusive and friends to the disabled community, there is a distinction between art groups that promote inclusiveness, and those whose framework is specifically designed to accommodate people with disabilities, and whose output is primarily concerned with giving a voice and a platform to artists and performers who have a disability.

Taking into consideration Project Ability, Indepen-dance, Drake Music, Solar Bear, and the newly funded 21 Common, regular funding for the disabled arts totals a little over £2m. This is markedly lower than the £2.9m in 2015, even before inflation is considered.

With government figures putting the country’s disabled population at 1 in 5 persons (20% of working age population) it’s little wonder Creative Scotland has attracted such scorn and criticism.

Creative Scotland Axes Over £1m in Funding from Three Disabled Arts Companies

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