ARTISTS are challenging politicians to think differently about art – and to recognise the role art plays in communities across Scotland.
Art In Action, a new campaign by the Scottish Contemporary Art Network (SCAN), is inviting MSPs to projects over the summer to see the impact of art in their constit-uencies, such as Artlink Edinburgh who host sensory workshops for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities.
The member-led visual arts body wants MSPs to then share their experiences using #ArtInAction – and to make a public commitment to supporting artists.
A number of MSPs have already lent their names to a motion lodged by Tom Arthur, SNP member for Renfrewshire South, which supports the campaign and acknowledges that “culture and creativity are not an add-on but central to how we live”.
SCAN says more investment is needed to help support Scotland’s fragile art infrastructure, which has seen national and local funds diminish. In recent evidence to the culture committee’s inquiry into arts funding, SCAN warned MSPs of “real concern among our members that they will reach breaking point” and of potential “collapse” in the arts sector if funding levels continue to drop from Creative Scotland.
Last year the arms-length body reversed a decision to stop funding five theatre organisations including children’s company Catherine Wheels and Birds Of Paradise, the disability-led company currently topping the nominations at the Critics Awards for Theatre in Scotland with their hit My Left Right Foot: The Musical.
“We challenge decision-makers to think differently about art,” says SCAN director Clare Harris.
Art In Action is based on the aims of SCAN’s Visual Arts Manifesto. Read it at bit.ly/SCANManifesto www-sca-net.org action.art.blog
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