Summary
News of the book festival's cancellation comes after Creative Scotland received public outcry for funding a "hardcore" sex project.
Creative Scotland is under scrutiny after Glasgow’s Aye Write festival has been cancelled in the run-up to its 19th year due to lack of funding.
Aye Write organiser Glasgow Life was rejected an award of £77,500 from Creative Scotland, the public body that distributes funding to the arts from the Scottish Government and The National Lottery.
This news comes after Creative Scotland’s funding decisions were questioned over an £84,555 award given to a “hardcore” sex project.
“The whole episode is embarrassing and damaging for Creative Scotland”
Project Rein included “non-simulated” sex acts through “pornographic processes” in the Scottish Highlands. This award is in addition to £23,219 that Creative Scotland granted the project in August 2023.
Director Leonie Rae Gasson advertised the job to actors over 18 years old, and encouraged applicants with previous sex work experience, “particularly in porn contexts”.
Creative Scotland removed the funding after the outcry, stating that Gasson had changed the conditions of her project without their knowledge.
The statement outlined: “The central role that ‘non-simulated’ (i.e real) sex acts now play in the project, marks a significant change to the nature of the work presented in the original application which was assessed for funding.”
Culture Secretary, Angus Robertson criticised “this use of taxpayer’s cash” and stated that “Creative Scotland must urgently guarantee that this sort of award will never happen again.”
However, others are concerned that Gasson’s project was trusted enough by Creative Scotland for them to hand her over £100,000 in a single year.
BBC Scotland arts correspondent, Pauline McLean writes: “Creative Scotland must have trusted the judgement of established theatre director Leonie Rae Gasson to approve the second largest grant from the £800,000 open lottery fund.
“The whole episode is embarrassing and damaging for Creative Scotland, not least when it’s lobbying for greater support for the arts. It undermines that campaign and once again poses questions about their decision-making processes.”
“A city the size of Glasgow without a book festival?”
Other than Creative Scotland, Aye Right and its offshoot children’s book festival Wee Write only receive funding from individual donations, ticket income, and sponsorship.
Glasgow Life wrote: “Both events are dependent on external funding that is not guaranteed from year to year.
“Unfortunately, our 2024 funding application to Creative Scotland was not successful so Aye Write and Wee Write will not be able to take place as festivals this year.”
Usually held in May, the festival has previously boasted guest speakers such as Val McDermid, Douglas Stuart, and Dame Sue Black.
Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who has appeared at the festival in the past wrote: “Really bad news. I know money is tight but very much hope that a way is found to get Aye Write back on track.”
Kathleen Jamie, Scottish poet and current Makar, said: “A city the size of Glasgow without a book festival?”
The Future of Aye Write
First Minister Humza Yousaf was questioned by Conservative Glasgow MSP Annie Wells, who said: “The public will be appalled that Creative Scotland has effectively pulled the plug on this renowned and much-loved festival when the same quango managed to find over 100k to fund a porn film.”
Yousaf maintained that Creative Scotland’s funding decisions should remain separate from the government, but said that he would determine “potential support the Scottish government can provide.”
While the festivals will not take place in their previous capacity, Glasgow Life wrote in a statement on March 28: “We will be organising some pop-up Aye Write events during 2024 and also developing our funding application for 2025, which if successful, means a return for the festivals in May next year.”
A spokeswoman for Creative Scotland said: “We recognise the significance of Aye Write to audiences and the literature sector and understand that this is disappointing news.
“The National Lottery open fund for organisations remains available to Aye Write to apply for further funding, and we welcome future applications.
“As demand for these funds continues to increase, Creative Scotland also continues to advocate for more resources to support culture and creativity across Scotland.”
Featured Image Credit: Glasgow Life
Fourth-year English and Journalism student.
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