Coronavirus (COVID-19) business support: equality impact assessments

Culture Collective Fund

Name of Grant:

Culture Collective Fund

Policy Lead

Anna Feintuck, Culture Strategy and Engagement

Legal power used:

Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010

Grant Overview:

Culture Collective is a network of 26 participatory arts projects, shaped by local communities alongside artists and creative organisations. Funded by Scottish Government emergency COVID-19 funds through Creative Scotland, these projects will take place across Scotland from March 2021-October 2022.

From Shetland to Inverclyde, Aberdeen to Hawick, each unique project is designed and driven by the community in which it is rooted, playing an important part in shaping the future cultural life of Scotland. Some projects will work to creatively engage with older community members; some will provide opportunities for young women and non-binary people to find their voices; and some will address disconnection, loneliness and mental health in post-lockdown world.

For the projects themselves, the Culture Collective provides a network: opportunities to share resources, learning and experiences. For the sector as a whole, the Culture Collective shines a light on the crucial importance of participatory arts projects for artists, for communities and for the future.

Executive Summary:

The Advisory Group for Economic Recovery’s June 2021 report for the First Minister noted that despite the provision of additional support to help businesses and individuals in the culture sector to navigate their way through the Coronavirus crisis, many challenges remained, not least maintaining important cultural infrastructure and the freelance workforce.

In its response to the report, the Scottish Government committed to the creation of a ‘Culture Collective’ to harness and maximise the contribution of Scotland’s creative workforce (particularly freelancers) to the building of a wellbeing economy. This is based on scoping work with the National Partnership for Culture, who advised on mechanisms for delivering the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery’s recommendation.

Ensuring the continuation of the creative work and practice that Scotland’s culture sector depends upon is a significant part of both the recovery of the culture sector itself, and part of the culture sector’s contribution to wider recovery and renewal. Culture unions and voices from across the sector have called for additional support for the culture sector to include investment and support for freelancers.

The Culture Collective programme launched in November 2020. The programme primarily aims to establish a national network, supporting creative practitioners, organisations and communities to work together across Scotland to help shape the future of local cultural life, and to share and learn from each other as they progress. With policy direction from the SG Culture Strategy and Engagement Unit, and administered by Creative Scotland, 26 successful lead organisations working across were awarded grants of between £100,000 and £300,000 in February 2021.

Engaging and supporting creative practitioners is a vital element of the Culture Collective, and a minimum of 50% of the total funding requested by each project must be used to pay the fees of these practitioners. All successful projects committed to providing a fixed-term contract with defined hours of work for no less than 6 months; creative freedom for practitioners to work collaboratively with communities, and rates of pay meeting industry standards.

The total funding provided to the Culture Collective’s first year was £6m, of which £4.8m was allocated from the £97m Culture consequentials (FY 20-21) and £1.2m was allocated from Business Support Funding (FY 20-21). The £1.2m of Business Support Funding forms part of the overall £4.3 billion that has been committed to business support over the course of the pandemic. This emergency funding has provided emergency funding to help secure jobs, safeguard businesses and to alleviate hardship.

Decisions related to the launch of the Culture Collective programme were made within the immediate context of the Covid pandemic, and subsequently there was a need to react quickly to the sector’s requirements. This meant there was limited opportunity to gather evidence on the possible impacts of these measures. However, in developing the Culture Collective, we worked in close collaboration with the sector and Creative Scotland, who have extensive experience in creating policies that meet the terms of the general equality duty as set out in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 (to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation, advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not, and foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not).

This was incorporated into the eligibility criteria for the Culture Collective, which acknowledged the profound impact of Covid-19 on the people of Scotland: whether related to health, education, housing, environment, or the economy, no aspect of our lives has been untouched. Further, the criteria made reference to emerging evidence indicating a very real threat of existing inequalities widening, resulting in significant long-term consequences for people, communities, and places across Scotland.

This includes the risk of lower levels of life satisfaction; poorer physical and mental health; rising unemployment; and increased feelings of loneliness and social isolation.

The Scottish Government and Creative Scotland have ensured that Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is an integral element of the Culture Collective funding approach and has been assessed across each area of the application. Successful applications were those which provided a considered and actionable commitment to EDI by demonstrating: how the approach will genuinely engage people in developing the cultural life of their community; how activity will be inclusive and accessible; and the positive outcomes that this will achieve.

Key Findings - impact assessment of benefits and/or disadvantages.

Age: Older People and Children and Young People

We are not aware of any evidence to suggest that the Culture Collective programme will have a negative impact or create inequalities for this particular protected characteristic. However, we know from Scottish Household Survey figures that participation in cultural activities decreases with age (when reading is excluded from the measure).^[171] When the fund was designed we therefore tried to ensure that the Culture Collective had an overall positive impact upon this protected characteristic.

In terms of a positive impact, emerging evidence from Creative Scotland’s interim reports (received from projects in November 2021) indicates that Culture Collective projects have actively facilitated the participation of people from all age groups.

For example, Ayr Gaiety are working with Dementia Friendly Prestwick and the Royal Airforce Club to create safe spaces for writing, telling stories, and co-creating theatre that is dementia-friendly in its design and delivery.

Although these projects are being delivered in specific locations, the Culture Collective is a network operating across Scotland, which means all other projects will have the opportunity to learn from this work and apply or develop the findings as appropriate, creating the potential for wider long term positive impact.

Sex: Men and Women

We are not aware of any evidence to suggest that the Culture Collective programme will have a negative impact or create inequalities for this particular protected characteristic.

In terms of a positive impact, emerging evidence from Creative Scotland’s interim reports (received from projects in November 2021) indicates that Culture Collective projects have actively facilitated the participation of both men and women.

We have ensured that the scheme’s employment model retains sufficient flexibility to allow those with care-giving responsibilities to balance this – for example in terms of flexible working hours – whilst being secure employment paid at industry rates. Those with care-giving responsibilities are disproportionately women, so this creates a positive impact for women in particular – and our early anecdotal evidence from Culture Collective employees supports this. However, that does not equate to a negative impact on men, as these working practices have benefits for all employees.

Additionally, there are Culture Collective projects specifically working to create a positive impact in relation to inequalities specific to this protected characteristic. For example, Feis Rois are working with women and children affected by domestic violence. The group have had positive verbal and written feedback from participants so far, including describing the project as a ‘lifeline’ and a safe space with no judgement. The Highland Culture Collective group have also worked with women, children and young people affected by domestic abuse, and have published work reflecting on their working methodology and the importance of considering the intersection of protected characteristics.^[172]

Although these projects are being delivered in specific locations, the Culture Collective is a network operating across Scotland, which means all other projects will have the opportunity to learn from this work and apply or develop the findings as appropriate, creating the potential for wider long term positive impact.

Race

We are not aware of any evidence to suggest that the Culture Collective programme will have a negative impact or create inequalities for this particular protected characteristic.

In terms of a positive impact, the fund encouraged applications from projects seeking to promote racial inclusion, and this was taken into account by the panel.

A number of Culture Collective projects are specifically working to foster greater inclusion with regards to this protected characteristic. For example, Art27@Southside (Edinburgh) is a partnership between Art27, Southside Community Centre, and the City of Edinburgh Council, developing work led by a young team of creatives reflective of the diverse Edinburgh Southside community (including artists from Yemen, Polish, SE Asian and Sudanese communities).

Additionally, led by Intercultural Youth Scotland, Restless Creatives has brought together six BPOC artists to find new expressive pathways and support the community to co-create. This culminated in the 2021 Scotland in Colour Festival on 4 September which showcased a variety of young talent who have developed through IYS’ youth groups.

Although these projects are being delivered in specific locations, the Culture Collective is a network operating across Scotland, which means all other projects will have the opportunity to learn from this work and apply or develop the findings as appropriate, creating the potential for wider longterm positive impact.

Disability

We are not aware of any evidence to suggest that the Culture Collective programme will have a negative impact or create inequalities for this particular protected characteristic.

In terms of a positive impact, the fund encouraged applications from projects seeking to promote inclusion for disabled people, and this was taken into account by the panel.

A number of Culture Collective projects are specifically working to foster inclusion with regards to this protected characteristic. For example, the Sensory Collective, by Independent Arts Projects (across Scotland) is a team led by and collaborating with disabled people to co-design a programme of sensory arts projects for those who experience multiple barriers to access mainstream arts activities.

Follow Our Rules (run by ArtLink Edinburgh) supports the exploration of long-term partnerships between artists and individuals with complex disabilities, and the people who support them. The project seeks to focus on, and amplify, the incredible contribution that individuals with complex disabilities make to the arts. It will create a platform where lived experience is valued and recognised and from which new ways of working are realised.

Although these projects are being delivered in specific locations, the Culture Collective is a network operating across Scotland, which means all other projects will have the opportunity to learn from this work and apply or develop the findings as appropriate, creating the potential for wider longterm positive impact.

Religion and Belief

We are not aware of any evidence to suggest that the Culture Collective programme will have a negative impact or create inequalities for this particular protected characteristic.

In terms of a positive impact, a number of the projects referenced elsewhere in this EQIA are focused on promoting inclusion across diverse communities, which is also relevant to the protected characteristic of religion and belief.

Sexual Orientation

We are not aware of any evidence to suggest that the Culture Collective programme will have a negative impact or create inequalities for this particular protected characteristic.

In terms of a positive impact, the fund encouraged applications from projects seeking to promote inclusion for LGBT+ people, and this was taken into account by the panel.

In terms of a positive impact, a number of Culture Collective projects are specifically working to foster inclusion with regards to this protected characteristic. For example, Alchemy Arts are working with a number of groups in the Scottish Borders, including Queer Borders, in the development of their work, ensuring diverse voices are heard and represented.

Although this project is being delivered in specific locations, the Culture Collective is a network operating across Scotland, which means all other projects will have the opportunity to learn from this work and apply or develop the findings as appropriate, creating the potential for wider long term positive impact.

Pregnancy and maternity

We are not aware of any evidence to suggest that the Culture Collective programme will have a negative impact or create inequalities for this particular protected characteristic.

Gender reassignment

We are not aware of any evidence to suggest that the Culture Collective programme will have a negative impact or create inequalities for this particular protected characteristic.

Marriage or Civil Partnership

We are not aware of any evidence to suggest that the Culture Collective programme will have a negative impact or create inequalities for this particular protected characteristic.

Socio-economic disadvantage: any people experiencing poverty

We are not aware of any evidence to suggest that the Culture Collective programme will have a negative impact or create inequalities for this particular protected characteristic.

In terms of a positive impact, the fund encouraged applications from projects seeking to promote inclusion for people from lower socio-economic groups, and this was taken into account by the panel.

A number of Culture Collective projects are specifically working to foster inclusion with regards to this protected characteristic. For example, ‘Here We Are!’ (Toonspeak) is based in Ward 17 in the North of Glasgow. A quarter of the datazones in this area are among the 5% most deprived datazones in Scotland. The programme will engage a creative team of eleven artists who are passionate about using the arts to empower communities who face the challenges of multiple deprivation, and who want to improve the lives of individuals.

Artists will be trained and supported to see themselves as part of the community and we will capitalise on the expertise and knowledge of our partners to develop a deep understanding of the social, cultural and historical landscape in which this project takes place. Here We Are! workshops will be free for all participants and will be a mixed artform programme involving children, young people, adults and older people. The artistic and creative work produced will form a celebratory, multi-faceted performance in Summer 2022 in a local park, for the entire community to enjoy.

Create Community Wealth (North Edinburgh Arts, Passion4Fusion, Score Scotland and WHALE Arts) is a project that aims to develop community enterprise projects across Wester Hailes and Muirhouse. It aims (1) to support local people to create and produce a range of products/services, and (2) to explore and set up platforms where people can sell their products/services. The project will employ a small team of artists and creative people to work within these communities, supporting local people to develop their ideas, sell and showcase their products and services locally. Create Community Wealth will also create a framework for selling and showcasing the work created, which could include regular street markets but may develop into something quite different as the project progresses.

Although these projects are being delivered in specific locations, the Culture Collective is a network operating across Scotland, which means all other projects will have the opportunity to learn from this work and apply or develop the findings as appropriate, creating the potential for wider long term positive impact.

Stakeholder Engagement:

We have engaged extensively with the Culture sector throughout the pandemic, and ensured a range of views were taken into account in the development of the Culture Collective scheme. As noted above, the proposal for this scheme originates directly from the Advisory Group for Economic Recovery, who consulted extensively with stakeholders in developing their recommendations. Mechanisms were established to ensure the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery gained valuable insights and considers Government policy priorities. Through these mechanisms the AGER received over 375 individual submissions from organisations and individuals across Scotland setting out their views on Scotland’s economic recovery and which shaped the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery’s recommendations.

The Chair of Scottish Enterprise, Lord Smith, was a key part of this process gathering the views on the business aspects of the economic response.

The Advisory Group’s Report ‘Towards a Robust Wellbeing Economy for Scotland’ was published on 22 June 2020 and the Scottish Government response to the Report entitled ‘Economic Recovery Implementation Plan was published on 5 August 2020.

Following this, members of the National Partnership for Culture – representing a broad range of views across the Culture sector – were asked to develop the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery’s recommendation in collaboration with Creative Scotland as delivery body. This was done via roundtable discussions, which provided an opportunity to share stakeholder views, test ideas, share information about progress, and discuss and address specific issues identified by stakeholders.

Mitigations

We actively built equalities, diversity and inclusion considerations into the guidelines and criteria of the Culture Collective fund as set out above.

In terms of the process of applying for funding, applications were managed by Creative Scotland, who are committed to offering clear and accessible application processes and programmes that are open to everyone. Creative Scotland made the application information available in alternative formats including translations. Creative Scotland also offer access support to disabled applicants, tailored to individual requests. Support includes Sign Language Interpreters for meetings and scribing support for dyslexic applicants. CS Officers can offer advice to new applicants and support them to make an application. The CS Equalities Team can offer additional one-to-one support to applicants with access requirements. CS accepted applications and supporting materials which are written in English, Gaelic or Scots. BSL users can access CS services with the Contact Scotland-BSL programme.

Next Steps

We have a Programme for Government commitment to evaluate and continue to invest in our Culture Collective programme, and ongoing impact assessments in relation to equality, diversity and inclusion will play a central role in that work.

Declaration and Publication

I have read the Equality Impact Assessment and I am satisfied that it represents a fair and reasonable view of the expected equality impact of the measures implemented.

Signed: Rachael McKechnie

Date: 25 February 2022