Cross artform

Performing arts and entertainment trade union Equity has launched a campaign against the Scottish Government’s decision to cut funding for arts and culture, labelling the move "economically illiterate".

The Scottish Government plans to cut Creative Scotland’s budget by £7m – a 10% decrease – in 2023/24. 

Creative Scotland has responded by saying it will go into its reserves in order to maintain the current levels of financial support it provides arts and culture organisations in Scotland.

Equity is calling for the cut to be reversed and is asking supporters to write to their local Member of Scottish Parliament to raise the issue in parliament.

“Lets be clear, with inflation into double digits, this isn’t a 10% cut to arts funding. It is much worse than that,” National Officer for Equity Adam Adnyana said.

“These cuts should not be used to justify low pay offers, or the end of stable work for performers and creatives. We call on the Scottish Government to revisit these economically illiterate cuts.
 
“And we also give fair warning to employers that we will not allow you to use this as an excuse to degrade terms, conditions, or pay offers. No tactic will be off the table.”

A community arts centre in Manchester has launched a crowdfunding campaign to stay open, warning that it "won't make it through the winter" without financial support

Resident Advisor reports that Niamos, which hosts jam sessions, hip-hop dance lessons, art classes, choir practice and regular club nights has been running the venue located in Hulme, since 2018. 

Originally known as the Hulme Hippodrome and later the Playhouse Theatre, the venue has been open since 1902 proior to being bought and turned into an arts space in 1986, with funding provided by Manchester City Centre and other groups. 

Niamos director Ronnie Walfall said: "We feel it's important to keep the Nia running so that people in the local area, and indeed those from further afield, have something that they can call their own. 

"This amazing theatre has been in regular use for the last four years, hosting performances and workshops, gigs and dance events. Everyone who comes into contact with the Nia is in awe of the beauty of the building. It has so much potential, to lose this great and historical building would be a tragedy."

Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan has announced that she intends to take a period of maternity leave next year.

Donelan, who was appointed Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport by former Prime Minister Liz Truss in September, and retained the position when Rishi Sunak took over in October, tweeted today that she will be leaving the post for a "short" time.

"My husband & I are very excited & blessed to be expecting a baby next year," Donelan tweeted.

"I’ll be taking a short maternity leave from DCMS. I’ll reduce the number of constituency visits during this time but I shall still be on hand throughout to help local residents supported by my great team."

Under the Ministerial and other Maternity Allowances Act 2021 the Prime Minister can designate a pregnant minister as a "Minister on Leave" for for up to six months, and appoint another paid minister to temporarily fill the role.

However, there is no guarantee that the minister on maternity leave will be reappointed to the same role after the six month period – with the decision being at the discretion of the Prime Minister.

Donelan previously covered maternity leave herself for Kemi Badenoch who was Children's Minister at the time. Badenoch was moved to a Treasury post on her return, while Donelan was given another role within the Department for Education.

A survey commissioned by the Edinburgh Fringe Society has found 70% of performers at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe are likely to bring a show to the festival again in the future. 

The finding forms part of an evaluation survey into this year’s edition, which received more than 10,000 responses including audiences and performers. For performers, the biggest barrier to future participation appears to be accommodation, with 87% of artists agreeing that affordability of accommodation and living costs will be a barrier to future participation in the Fringe.

Concerns were raised around soaring accomodation costs at the time of this year’s festival, with a coalition of Edinburgh's producing venues calling the issue a threat to the festival’s future.

Despite the concerns, 81% of all survey respondents -  including artists, audience members, arts industry professionals, residents and other participants - said they were likely to come to next year’s festival.

Two thirds of visitors would like to see discounted tickets available at next year’s edition, with 91% agreeing a discount should be available for Edinburgh residents.

The festival says the call for discounted tickets is a result of the cost of living crisis, which it says is “likely to extend into 2023”.

Over 2.2million tickets were issued by the end of this year’s edition, with artists from 63 countries performing more than 3,400 shows across the Scottish capital.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society Chief Executive Shona McCarthy said that in a tumultuous year, “it feels miraculous the Fringe happened at all”.

“Improvements can always be made, and the insights and data gained from our recent listening exercise are already being taken forward”, she added.

“We recognise that there are ongoing challenges, and our team are working hard behind the scenes to continue to advocate for our artists, and to support audiences as they plan for Fringe 2023.”

Leeds Culture Trust has agreed that all creatives working on the LEEDS 2023 cultural programme will be paid fair wages and have safe and secure working conditions.

The agreement forms part of a Memorandum of Understanding between Leeds Culture Trust and trade unions TUC Yorkshire and Humber, Equity, Artists’ Union England, BECTU and Musicians' Union.

The trust says it will encourage partners and stakeholders to also “engage with appropriate unions to create agreements for the creative sector workers they employ”.

A similar agreement was signed ahead of Coventry’s stint as City of Culture 2021 and in Birmingham for the cultural programme that coincided with this year’s Commonwealth Games.

“At a time when precarious engagements and poor pay are threatening to overshadow the UK’s cultural strength, again Leeds is leading the way by putting the terms and conditions of the creative workforce at the heart of what it means to have a year of culture,” Equity General Secretary Paul Fleming said.

“Great art thrives when artists have dignity at and in their work, which is exactly what this Memorandum of Understanding aims to assure.”