State of the Nation:

A Strategic Gathering for Scotland’s Arts Sector 

We have now confirmed increased capacity for this event, with a second round of tickets going on sale, the booking link is below.

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 having better links, claiming joint power and enhancing 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.

This gathering is primarily intended for people working in or closely with Multi-Year Funded (MYF) theatre organisations—including organisational leaders, key freelancers, producers, programmers, touring partners, and advocates. Our aim is to create a shared space where those with a formal stake in the current funding framework can begin to build stronger relationships, develop joint strategies, and support each other more effectively. We also want to explore how this kind of structured collaboration could evolve to include the wider arts sector in future. This is just the beginning.

Tickets are free and everyone working in Scotland’s theatre sector is welcome.

Date: 24th October 2025

Location: Citizens Theatre, Glasgow

Time: 11am – 5pm (please arrive by 10.30am)

RSVP: Please book using the link below 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.

With attendance already confirmed from key representatives of the Scottish theatre sector including: A Play, A Pie, A Pint, Beacon Arts Centre, CatStrand, Eden Court, Federation of Scottish Theatre, Lung Ha, Lyceum Theatre, Lyth Arts, North East Arts Touring, Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Rockfield Centre, The Touring Network, Theatre Gu Leor, Traverse Theatre, Wonderfools, National Theatre of Scotland, Society of Scottish Playwrights, Toonspeak, Tron Theatre.

Bursaries for Travel & Childcare:  

A limited number of bursaries to support access to the event are available for FST members and members of The Touring Network as follows:

FST

If you are an Individual or Organisation Member travelling 50+ miles per way from your company/home location in Scotland, you are eligible for a travel bursary up to £25 (one per organisation). We also offer financial support of up to £25 for Individual Members to assist with childcare costs to help them to attend FST meetings and events. Bursaries can be claimed by emailing hello@scottishtheatre.org following the event.

The Touring Network

Members of The Touring Network, living and working the Highlands and Islands, are encouraged to come to represent the network and are invited to apply for support to attend. Priority will be given to un-funded promoter members. More information on this fund can be found here or by contacting them at hello@thetouringnetwork.com