ALAN Cumming has backed calls for ministers to deliver on a £100 million promise of new investment to the arts industry ahead of the Budget.
The Scottish stage and screen star demanded “payback” from the Scottish Government for the lack of funding to the arts industry.
It comes as the Scottish Budget is set to be delivered this week, with ministers under pressure to gather enough support from opposition parties if it hopes to pass its plans.
Cumming (below), who was recently appointed artistic director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre, said the cultural sector had been forced to “paper over the cracks” for years due to a prolonged lack of resources.
He suggested it was time for the Scottish Government to back up its claims over how much it values Scottish culture, adding: “A country’s worth and pride is reflected in how its culture is valued.”
Cumming expressed support for the campaign also backed by Scots actor Bill Paterson and Garbage lead singer Shirley Manson.
The campaign urges the Scottish Government to set out a “coherent timeline” for the roll-out of the £100m, which has been repeatedly promised by ministers since an announcement at the SNP conference in October last year.
Hundreds of theatres, arts venues, festivals, events and organisations were left in limbo over their future funding last month after the Scottish Government’s arts agency, Creative Scotland, was left without a budget for its next three-year funding programme.
They are not expected to hear whether their applications have been successful until the end of January, and do not have any guaranteed funding beyond the end of March.
Cumming said: "Scotland has always punched way above its cultural weight even when the resources weren’t there, but now it feels like we need some payback for all the years we’ve papered over the cracks, and made do and mended.
"A country’s worth and pride is reflected in how its culture is valued, both by its citizens and its government.
"We know the citizens of Scotland’s values are on our side, and we hear our government is.
"Please give Scottish artists the respect and payback they deserve."
Speaking last week, Culture Secretary Angus Robertson (above) insisted the Scottish Government was still committed to the £100m pledge.
He added: “It is a question of how quickly we can reach that target. I’m working to make sure as much of it happens as quickly as possible.”