Response from MSP

Lynda wrote to MSP Claire Baker, Scottish Labour's Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs:

Dear Ms Baker,

Please find attached information relating to the immediate impact that Covid-19 is having on members of the Scottish Artists Union.

1. Direct feedback from our members. Selected quotes from over 80 longer submissions, detailing how the pandemic is affecting artists working lives.
2. A summary of the issue artists are facing – including potential solutions.

We look forward to hearing your response.

With regards,

Lynda Graham, President of Scottish Artists Union.

Here's the reply:

Hi Lynda

Thanks for sending me this.  It is clear that artists are in a very difficult situation and too many of them are falling through the cracks of the support on offer.  When the committee carried out the report into arts funding, it was clear that individual artists needed more support and the Scottish Artists Union make a strong case for how they could be supported.  This current situation makes the circumstances worse.  Although Parliament is in recess, and we are only meeting briefly, I am keen to have the Culture committee meeting again in some form so we can highlight these and other issues.  I agree with the calls you make and have called for the bursary schemes to be boosted.  This and the other issues you highlight I will raise with Fiona Hyslop.

Please let me know if there is anything you would like me to do that would be helpful.

Best wishes

Claire