With the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Edinburgh International Festival making international headlines, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of festival fever. There’s so much to love about Scotland’s world-renowned culture sector – from our music and museums, to our films and festivals. But Scotland’s culture sector is on shaky ground, and even our internationally acclaimed festivals are feeling the pinch. The Scottish Government’s chronic underinvestment in culture has left the sector in crisis. When you zoom in to the local level, like here in Leith, community culture events and organisations are struggling to survive.

A vibrant landscape of community groups, creative works and festivals has the power to highlight rich histories, encourage cross-cultural learning, foster deep connections, and build thriving communities. The culture sector is also a critical component of Scotland’s economy, creating jobs and bolstering the tourism and hospitality industries. But the culture sector is in crisis. Along with my Scottish Labour colleagues and leaders in the creative industry, I have been calling on the Scottish Government to urgently address the need for stable, long-term funding for arts and culture organisations. The Scottish Government has recently promised new investment but without a clear plan to deliver that funding, organisations have been left in limbo. They are unable to plan their futures and they’re losing faith. The Scottish Government must urgently roll out the £100 million pledged last year and plan for long-term funding to facilitate sustained growth in the culture sector. It must also heed my calls to convene an urgent festivals funding summit to save our world-renowned festivals from collapse.

However, funding for big-name festivals is not enough. The foundations of a healthy culture sector are in local communities, and this must be reflected through funding to communities as well as Edinburgh’s Festivals. Leith Festival is a great example of the value and potential of local cultural events. With an emphasis on community building, the Festival connects businesses, local groups and individuals, and strengthens community bonds. It celebrates Leith’s creative scene through exhibitions, performances and workshops from local artists and makers, and fosters intercultural exchange within Leith and beyond. Continued funding for local cultural festivals like this is critical to sustain the benefits to the community and to the local creative economy.

Leith Theatre is a historic local institution but has struggled and been labelled ‘at risk’. On a visit, I heard their funding concerns and discussed their need for substantial restoration. I’m relieved that Leith Theatre has since received a grant, but the reality is that they should never have reached a crisis point. More reliable funding for local venues is needed to prevent the losses of such important community assets. I look forward to visiting the Theatre again to hear their restoration plans and discuss how we can help them thrive.

There are countless other local gems in need of support – from The Citadel, an outstanding host to community and cultural events, to the live music performances of the Leith Jazz and Blues Festival. Among the local events this summer was the Citadel Arts Group’s promenade play which ran from August 8-10th, and told the stories of Leith Custom House in the 1970s.

Local organisations, venues, and events like these work with smaller budgets and they feel the squeeze of funding cuts acutely. Funding for the culture sector needs to do more than allow local institutions to hang on by a thread. We need to empower them through sustainable and flexible funding, allowing them to effectively manage their resources, plan their futures and flourish.

Growth in the local creative economy also means more young people and diverse voices can gain a foothold in the industry. We should be striving for greater accessibility, affordability, diversity, and cultural democracy. But in the current landscape these goals are far off and local groups are struggling to stay afloat.

I will continue to advocate in Parliament and work with local authorities to secure the long-term future of Scotland’s culture sector. I look forward to engaging with local groups to discuss their needs and their plans and see how I can help. As Shadow Culture Minister for Scottish Labour, Convenor of the Cross-Party Group on Culture and Communities in the Scottish Parliament and through engaging directly with my community, I will continue to support local community culture organisations, venues, and events. I will always listen to their needs and advocate on their behalf, so they can thrive in Scotland’s multifaceted cultural landscape.

Scotland’s culture sector and local scenes should not be taken for granted. Funding the culture sector should not be viewed as a luxury. This is one of Scotland’s essential industries and supporting it is an opportunity that the Scottish Government must seize. ■

Foysol Choudhury MSP for Lothian Region