Protest after Edinburgh International Festival show The Outrun

Protest after Edinburgh International Festival show The Outrun against Scottish Government cuts to arts funding

Transcript

00:00I'm Reuben Joseph and I am speaking as a freelance artist involved in this production.

00:05I do not speak for EIF or the Lyceum Theatre.

00:08So amidst the joy and celebration of the live performance this month in Edinburgh,

00:13the Scottish theatre community has been given devastating news.

00:16We wanted to use our platform to the world to make you aware of the crushing impact it will have.

00:22Please feel free to switch on your phones and film this and to share it please.

00:27So if new work in Scotland doesn't appear out there, we have a vibrant culture in Scotland

00:32making work in every art form in the decades which has been hailed across the world.

00:38We are only able to do this because Scotland understands the value of culture

00:42and the importance of sharing stories.

00:45One of the ways we've been able to do this is through a fund called the Open Fund for Individuals.

00:51It's where an individual artist can ask for money when their idea is about to succeed.

00:56Now practically everyone on this stage,

00:59everyone on this stage whose work you are enjoying at the festivals has benefited from this scheme.

01:05They've benefited from it in building their career and their craft to get that idea off the ground

01:10which is like to other companies believing in that idea.

01:13The Open Fund is the incubator for Scottish work at the French and for all Scottish art festivals.

01:19Without it there may still be festivals but nothing to see at them.

01:24It was announced this week Creative Scotland will be forced to close this fund

01:29at 2pm on Friday the 30th of August.

01:32It will be closed indefinitely due to the Scottish Government

01:36being unable to confirm the release of £6.6 million that was promised.

01:42Wiping out this fund removes a lifeline for a freelance artist to see in Scotland.

01:47Many, many people are already having to leave the industry.

01:50They can't sustain themselves in this culture

01:52and we've been told this is only the beginning and that there are still worse cuts to come.

01:57We are not going to stand by and accept that.

02:01We are demanding that the Open Fund is reinstated and we have until Friday the 30th to do that.

02:08Now if you enjoy seeing work in Scotland then please support the artists living here.

02:14We may not be here next year and you can do this by sharing the statement,

02:18post messages of support online and use the hashtag

02:22No Art Without Artists.

02:25Write to your MSPs, make noise where ever you can.

02:28This is so critical.

02:31Time is of the essence.

02:32There is no art without artists.

02:36Thank you for listening.

02:37Thank you for coming to see live theatre.