A plea has been made for the Scottish Government to safeguard the future of an Aberdeen music programme for children amid long-term funding fears.
In parliament, North East MSP Douglas Lumsden stressed the importance of funding past next year to allow the charity, Sistema Scotland, to continue changing the lives of young people through music across the city.
He urged culture secretary Angus Robertson to put a long-term funding model in place to protect the organisation’s future.
It comes after First Minister John Swinney allocated £2.6 million to Sistema Scotland’s Big Noise programme in August for 2024/25.
But Mr Lumsden raised concerns about long-term funding and the prospect of the music programme being stuck again next year.
Big Noise Torry organisers were left “shocked and heartbroken” when Aberdeen City Council pulled the plug on the programme’s funding last year.
At portfolio questions in parliament, the Scottish Conservative North East MSP asked if funding would be allocated for future years to ensure the organisation remains ingrained into the development of young people across Aberdeen.
In his response, the culture secretary said: “I am in favour of long-term funding models right across the culture and arts sector.
“I am working very hard within government to make the case for the funding to be in place as part of the normal budgetary process. I am confident we can.”
Mr Lumsden later said: “It’s absolutely crucial Big Noise Torry receives an adequate allocation of Scottish Government and local authority resources in the coming years which I will continue to push for.
“I welcomed John Swinney’s announcement in August but this barely scratches the surface and is only for a year, meaning it won’t be long before Sistema is back to square one again.
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“I have seen for myself the fantastic work Big Noise Torry does for the community and the wider city by building their confidence and skills through music.
“It’s therefore vital the SNP government and Aberdeen City Council can guarantee Big Noise will remain just as loud in Aberdeen for years to come past 2024/25.”
Vicky Williams, chief executive of Sistema Scotland, said: “We are extremely grateful to have received direct Scottish Government investment since 2012/13, and in particular the increased funding allocations since 2023/24, and we remain committed to all our communities for the long-term. The funding means we can do more to support young people and families, tackle poverty and inequality, and help build firm foundations for the future of our young people.”
