Are the arts fun or fundamental?

At Voluntary Arts Scotland we recognise not just the importance of cultural output but who makes it – the people running voluntary arts groups and the impact it has on those individuals and the community around them. In the media coverage of the independence referendum so far, cultural policy, or lack thereof, has received scant regard – perhaps because it is already devolved (with the notable exception of broadcasting), or because it’s not deemed a vote-winner. Yet research shows that not only do over 2 million people in Scotland engage in cultural participation but the benefits it can bring are many and varied.

There are over 10,000 voluntary arts groups across Scotland that generate opportunities for arts participation.

Voluntary Arts Scotland is indy neutral – the only thing we campaign for is an environment across Scotland where cultural participation can flourish. We are therefore well placed to explore the implications of 18 September from all sides. Indeed, our parent charity Voluntary Arts has a devolved organisational structure with colleagues based in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. At our upcoming conference in Glasgow, Culture, Creativity and You: Why Making Matters we are hosting an independence referendum debate with representatives from Yes Scotland and Better Together. We want the people of Scotland to make an informed decision about the future of their country and that includes knowing how volunteering and arts participation will fair under a continued UK government or independent Scotland. Culture and volunteering have yet to be adequately explored in the independence debate and our open discussion will give both the campaign representatives and our delegates a chance to do just that. The debate will be chaired by Andy Milne from SURF, Scotland’s independent regeneration network and both sides will deliver a short opening speech about their respective policies before questions will be opened to the floor. Opportunities for cultural creativity don’t happen by magic. There are over 10,000 voluntary arts groups across Scotland, from painting to pottery and choirs to country dancing, that generate opportunities for arts participation. The people that run these groups demand little but deliver much to our social fabric, provided that barriers such as the affordability of volunteering, accessibility of venues, reliable local transport and disparities in local authority support for the arts can be overcome. We know that making matters, so much so it’s the title of our conference. But what do Yes Scotland and Better Together think of the arts? Is it fun or fundamental? Find out at our conference debate. Culture, Creativity and You: Why Making Matters – Voluntary Arts Scotland’s national conference will take place at Platform, The Bridge, Glasgow on Wednesday 26 February. Book your place now.