Public Asked to Inform Independent Review of Creative Scotland

Communities across Scotland will be given an opportunity this summer to help inform the independent Review of Creative Scotland. Eight roundtable discussions will be held to ensure any recommendations are evidence-led and reflect a national perspective on Creative Scotland’s role. Led by Angela Leitch CBE, the independent Review team will also host a separate roundtable for children and young people.

The engagement plans come as the results of a national culture sector survey are published. Commissioned in January to inform a wider programme of support for the culture sector, the survey received responses from more than 750 artists, creative organisations and members of the public who raised concerns about the complexity of accessing culture funding and disparities across the country.

The five key areas to be examined have been informed by the Review team’s engagement to-date, alongside a wealth of historic evidence and the survey results:

Creative Scotland’s purpose and functions.
Creative Scotland’s structure and performance.
Governance and leadership within Creative Scotland.
Creative Scotland’s finances and distribution of funds.
Collaboration, relationships and partnerships.

The independent Review is expected to publish recommendations in November.

Background

Independent Review of Creative Scotland: remit – gov.scot

Culture sector support needs survey – gov.scot

Individuals and organisations are invited to share their views with the Chair and Vice Chair of the independent Review of Creative Scotland at eight roundtable meetings to be held this summer in the following locations:

10 June – Selkirk
11 June – Glasgow
16 June – Dundee
23 June – Edinburgh
24 June – Aberdeen
25 June – Inverness
26 June – Orkney
2 July – Dumfries

If you would like to participate in these discussions please contact: creativescotlandreview@gov.scot

In addition to engaging with Scotland’s creative industries, the independent Review team will also speak with organisations outside the culture sector who are directly impacted by Creative Scotland, including higher and further education institutions, local authorities and the enterprise agencies.

The independent Review of Creative Scotland was first announced in the 2024-25 Programme for Government, as the first review of Creative Scotland since its establishment in 2010. The Scottish Budget 2025-26 provides an increase of £34 million to culture in Scotland, including £20 million for Creative Scotland’s multi-year funding programme.