Cultural Engagement in Scotland

Creative Lives welcomes the report Cultural engagement in Scotland: insights from people's experiences, which underscores the vital role that creativity activity plays in our everyday lives. The report shines a light on the many ways people engage with culture and creativity, from visiting museums and libraries to enjoying informal activities like crafting, gaming, and social events. The report reinforces the need to support creativity at all levels—whether it’s emerging, established, or community-led. We particularly welcome the report’s framing of culture as inseparable from everyday life, reflecting the views of respondents who challenged the notion that culture is not something we only “go to”, but that it is threaded through how we dress, how we speak, what we eat, and how we interact with others.

We are especially pleased to see the acknowledgement of barriers to cultural participation clearly outlined. Financial and transport challenges are issues Creative Lives has consistently raised in our advocacy work. We know these barriers disproportionately affect many of the community-led groups we work with, limiting access to venues, materials, and audiences. This report also aligns with the issues Creative Lives raised during the Scottish Government’s recent Culture Strategy refresh. In our response, we highlighted several systemic challenges faced by volunteer and community-led creative groups, such as difficulties in accessing affordable venues or navigating complex funding systems. 

Creative Lives remains committed to working closely with the government, cultural institutions, and communities to address these barriers and ensure that everyone has equitable access to creative opportunities.  By championing everyday creativity and addressing the structural challenges faced by local groups, we can build more sustainable communities and a culturally vibrant Scotland.

To discuss further, please contact [email protected]