A paper released today, Monday 10 May 2004, by the Centre for Cultural Policy Research (CCPR) at the University of Glasgow will take an objective look at the evidence about public spending on the arts.

The paper entitled "Public Spending on the Arts within the UK" has been written by Susan Galloway at CCPR and evaluates public spending for the arts in Scotland over recent years, providing vital statistical information never explored before.

"The briefing takes an objective look at the evidence about government arts spending, comparing levels of public funding for the arts in Scotland with the other nations of the UK," explains Susan Galloway. "It also looks in detail at central government funding for the Scottish Arts Council and compares this with support for the Arts Council in England."

The paper reveals that the arts account for just half of one percent of all public expenditure in Scotland, and less than this in the rest of the UK. Estimated arts expenditure in Scotland is £31 per head, considerably more than in the other UK nations, and local authority spending accounts for most of this. Analysis of funding for the arts councils suggests that central government, in Scotland especially, is increasingly determining how money for the arts in spent. Full details of the paper can be found at the Centre for Cultural Research Policy website.

The lack of a robust 'evidence base' for the arts and cultural sector in Scotland has long been recognised. However, while devolution has resulted in a huge growth in demand for information and statistics on which to base policy, culture has remained relatively neglected within the world of Scottish statistics.

Culture Minister Frank McAveety's launching of the Cultural Review Commission in April this year, means that the arts and culture have now been placed centre stage as part of the Scottish government's 'big vision for Scotland', with an increasing proportion of the Scottish Arts Council's grant in aid ring-fenced by the Executive. While overall funding for the Scottish Arts Council is growing, the money available for core funded arts organisations and companies is scarcely growing.

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

For more information please contact Susan Galloway at the Centre for Cultural Policy Research on 0141 330-2447 or email: S.Galloway@arts.gla.ac.uk.

Alternatively you can contact Mike Findlay in the University Press Office on 0141 330-8593 or email: m.findlay@admin.gla.ac.uk.

First published: 10 May 2004