Are Cultural Trusts ‘good’ for culture in Scotland?

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the impact that the adoption of Cultural Trusts by Scotland’s local authorities, to manage their culture assets, has had on culture itself. Semi-structured interviews with 7 artists and 4 Cultural Trust employees and a questionnaire that 26 artists participated in, were conducted to find out about their experiences of working with Cultural Trusts and how the structures and values of the organisations affect artists and their work. The research revealed that while many Artists have positive accounts of working with Cultural Trust staff, the organisations themselves are operating in a financial climate that isn’t conducive to artistic innovation or experimentation, necessary elements to sustaining a vibrant and inclusive cultural landscape. Their own short term and precarious funding situations are affecting how Trusts evaluate art, what art is being supported and the conditions art is being made under.