Over the years, Hidden Door has showcased the work of thousands of talented artists, musicians, performers and creatives. Our festival is only possible thanks to their talent, and that talent needs to be nurtured.

We are therefore extremely concerned about the current financial situation in the Scottish arts scene, and in particular the recent announcement from Creative Scotland, closing a number of critical funding routes. The Open Fund in particular is one of the key funding sources for individual artists working in Scotland.

Those funding routes were never charity, nor a discretionary gift only to be afforded in times of prosperity – they were a crucial investment in one of Scotland’s most potent and successful industries, exported worldwide, boosting our economy and enriching the lives of millions.

As a charity arts organisation run by volunteers, Hidden Door has received public funding for a number of years, and whilst this is only one aspect of our income, it has been transformative in allowing us to be bold, to reach new audiences and to nourish the wider creative ecosystem. We await the outcome of decisions around multi-year funding to allow us to continue to develop as a vital platform for the arts, but without grass-roots financial support for creatives, at all stages of their career, our festival programme will only become smaller and duller.

We therefore urge Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government to look carefully at the decisions they are making to ensure that Scotland keeps creativity at its heart, securing its place on the world stage and preserving its legacy as an iconic cultural powerhouse.