I did predict the focus would be on spin rather than delivery. There is still no new investment in Scottish culture, CS has still had its promised budget cut (to the tune of £2.2m), it still has no budget for long-term funding decisions due in Oct & the open fund is still closed!

That’s three times in two years that the Scottish Government has restored Creative Scotland’s budget after an arts industry rebellion (at least 50,000 protests have now been recorded), then presented it as new investment. Scotland’s answer to Groundhog Day!

Just leaving this here again, since there is still no confirmed funding for Creative Scotland’s next three-year funding programme ahead of next month’s crucial announcement.

All in last 12 mths: CS 10% funding cut reimposed, the £100m pledge, culture strategy action plan, international culture strategy, culture in indy Scotland vision, events strategy, strategic festivals partnership, £10.6m of CS budget on hold, open fund shutdown & now a CS review!

The most pressing issue this time 2 years ago, as the "perfect storm" began to bite, was to get a clear funding commitment in place for Creative Scotland's next long-term funding programme - its first since 2018. Not a penny is in place, with decisions due next month. Farcical.

I'm pretty confident in saying there is no more money being invested in culture in Scotland this year than there was two years ago. I'll hold my hands up if anyone can find the figures to prove me wrong!

One of the worst aspects to all this is that none of the cuts imposed since Dec 2022, months after the first warnings of the "perfect storm," have ever been announced by the Scottish Government. They've all been revealed by Creative Scotland, which has now been put under review!

All the promises of additional funding have been made - and repeated - in the wake of industry fury over quietly imposed cuts & growing fears about the impact of prolonged standstill funding ie real-terms year-on-year cuts. Absolutely nothing has been done to address the crisis.

Thrilled for this yin!

Critical funding decisions are due next month on hundreds of Scottish theatres, festivals, events & organisations. The Scottish Government, has yet, again promised big new investment in the industry. They need to see evidence of that actually being delivered in the coming weeks.

I've seen no evidence yet of the "additional funding" that's been promised. I've seen almost every Scottish arts organisation, as well as many of our leading performers, urge the national government to make good on its promises before it's too late. Not convinced it gets it yet.

Kirkcudbright becomes a festival town for four days as the second Fringe Festival begins its final preparations. Over 50 plus events at 20 venues across the town. HT KBTfringe

Still no answers to these Qs, culture chums. That £47m gap to meet demand for long-term Creative Scotland funding still hasn’t been addressed. Will the Commonwealth Games get the green light before the future of the arts industry is secured? If I was a gambler, I’d say yes.

Why not spend the next VAR stoppage in the Scotland game by having a read of this?! One of THE voices of the Scottish game Stuart Cosgrove talks St. Johnstone FC, music, BBC Off The Ball and the social significance of football in Scotland. markgordon.media/stuart-cosgrov…

ONE WEEK TODAY!!!

🚨 New episode of The Steamie out now! 🚨 🎧 Nothing says Friday like a podcast episode called ‘A grim start to the parliamentary year’ Featuring Alexander Brown, Rachel Amery & David Bol Listen now on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/4x47MX… Apple: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a-g…

If you can any details of how, where & when the £100m - promised nearly a year ago - will be delivered in the #ProgrammeForGovernment you’re doing better than me. Decisions are due on hundreds of 3-year Creative Scotland applications next month but they have no confirmed funding.

Very much looking forward to catching this show at long last. Read on, Rebus fans!

👀 A striking contrast to the repeated cuts & undelivered promises of new investment in Scotland.

FRETS tonight in the Strathaven Hotel. Doors are at 7.30, Stevie Jackson opens the show at 8pm, with Michael Head on stage at 9pm. There will be a limited amount of tickets on sale at the ticket desk if you fancy coming along. The sun is out in Strathaven, it’ll be a great night