North East arts and culture organisations have been urged to take advantage of online funding opportunities after new data revealed less than 5% came to the region.
Since 2020, Creative Scotland has offered to match funding for any Scottish project that hits a nominal fundraising target online.
However, new figures show that just four projects in the North East shared £20,330 —less than 5% of the total awarded over the last five years.
At Holyrood, Scottish Conservative MSP Liam Kerr said the funding has been “too focused” on the Central Belt.
He said:
“In the last five years, Creative Scotland spent just over £430,000 on culture projects via its Crowdmatch fund.
“Out of 110 given public money, just four were from the north east, which got a total of £20,330.
“That’s less than 5% for Aberdeen, Shire and Moray.
“Does the cabinet secretary believe that Creative Scotland is too focused on the central belt, and will he commit to reviewing how Creative Scotland can ensure a more equitable distribution to the north east?”
SNP culture secretary Angus Robertson encouraged arts and cultural organisations in the North East to apply for available funding opportunities, stressing that this is the best route to securing support.
He added that Creative Scotland has committed over £113 million in awards over the last 12 months.
Mr Robertson said: “I would encourage all cultural and arts organisations, regardless of where they are, to apply for funding…
“And I would encourage as many cultural and arts organisations in the north east of Scotland to do so.”
Mr Kerr said later:
“The SNP government won’t hold out an olive branch to North East organisations who are all too often left by the wayside.
“If anyone is unsure how to access crowdfunding support from Creative Scotland, they can get the details from the source.”
