Scotland's arts quango gets £28 million despite funding porn

In Scotland, Creative Scotland recently received a significant funding increase from the government under the SNP’s budget, amounting to £28 million. This decision has sparked considerable controversy due to the arts quango facing backlash over its previous funding choices, including a pornographic film, and allegations of censorship against gender-critical voices in the arts community. Despite these issues, the Finance Secretary, Shona Robison, expressed her commitment to the funding without addressing the criticisms raised by various artists and politicians. The funding boost comes in the context of a government review of Creative Scotland's operations, aiming to ensure they align with the needs of the culture sector, which has suffered from allegations of mismanagement. The upcoming review aims to address concerns regarding how taxpayer money is utilized and whether Creative Scotland can continue to fulfill its mandate effectively, as critics call for accountability and reform in light of the controversies surrounding its past decisions. Various artists and stakeholders have called for better engagement and transparency from Creative Scotland, indicating that without such reforms, the recent funding may not address the deeper issues currently plaguing the organization, risking further alienation of certain artistic voices. Consequently, the future of Creative Scotland looms uncertain as it undergoes review, and the ongoing controversies may ultimately influence the direction it takes moving forward.