State of the Nation: A Strategic Gathering for Scotland’s Arts Sector
Scotland’s arts sector has become a game played in defence. Funding cuts, political uncertainty, and a fractured sector have left us vulnerable. We need to rewrite the rules—together.
The last paperwork is in and the long process of applying for funding is over. There’s lots to celebrate - but how can we as organisations put ourselves in a good position prior to the merry-go-round beginning again? The Multi Year Funding process asks us to work together, but there are no formal structures to support us to do this. At best, we rely on our personal connections. At worst, we duplicate work and overload already exhausted staff.
State of the Nation: A Strategic Gathering for Scotland’s Arts Sector is where we start. This is not a polite roundtable discussion. It’s a space to rethink our power as a sector and build a collective strategy that works for us and for making art.
In the first instance, we want to make a space in which Multi Year Funded organisations can develop a shared space with the aim of in future having better links, claim joint power and enhance our ability to communicate with one another. In future, it might also lead to spaces where any organisation is connected, whatever their funding status. This meeting is a start.
For too long, we’ve been encouraged to compete rather than collaborate. But that only weakens us. Instead of being played off against one another, we must speak with one voice, advocate for each other, and demand better for the arts in Scotland.
We want to start by sharing and talking about three areas
· Resource sharing – What are the opportunities to share work and lessen loads? What if collaboration became a survival strategy?
· Advocacy & lobbying – How do we shape policy rather than react to it and make sure it’s led by, and responsive to, artists?
· The future of Scotland’s arts – How do we make sure we’re not back here in two years, fighting the same fight? Who is missing from the table?
The day will include
· individual panels for listening, galvanising and reflecting on the current status of the sector
· space for sharing your immediate action points in the aftermath of the recent funding process
· what is tomorrow - an area to share the projects you were unable to deliver due to lower-than-expected funding levels and look for alternate partnerships to help you achieve them
We know that our sector shines brightest when we all come together. We hope we’ll see you there.
Tickets are free and everyone working in Scotland’s theatre sector is welcome. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Date: 24th October 2025
Location: Citizens Theatre, Glasgow
Time: 11am – 5pm
RSVP: By Monday 20th October at 5pm
State of the Nation is co-hosted by An Tobar and Mull Theatre, Citizens Theatre and Playwrights’ Studio Scotland.