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Creative Scotland funding for explicit project withdrawn
Creative Scotland has pulled funding for the explicit arts project Rein amid public outcry.

Creative Scotland is under fire for its funding decision on the explicit arts project Rein.
Creative Scotland's funding for explicit project faces intense scrutiny
Creative Scotland's chief executive was questioned by a Holyrood committee after it allocated £84,555 to the project Rein, which included plans for explicit sexual performances. The funding was reversed amid public backlash, as it sparked concerns when details about potential 'non-simulated' sex were revealed. Iain Munro stated that the application led them to believe the performances would be simulated, but committee members raised serious questions about the project's safety measures, including the mention of lubricant and STI testing. Munro acknowledged that this situation had damaged Creative Scotland's reputation but emphasized their commitment to funding diverse artistic expressions.
Key Takeaways
"People may sometimes disagree with or dislike some of the work we support."
Robert Wilson emphasized the challenges of funding controversial art.
"There was no mention of real or non-simulated sex in the application."
Iain Munro explained Creative Scotland's understanding of the project.
"Genital contact does not mean real sex."
Munro defended the funding decision during questioning.
"This is the nature of funding the arts and indeed of the arts themselves."
Wilson stated the reality of artistic funding at the committee session.
The situation highlights a troubling miscommunication around artistic expression and public funding. While the arts are meant to challenge norms, transparency is crucial, especially when taxpayer money is involved. Creative Scotland's return of the funding shows the weight of public sentiment in a sensitive area like sexual performance art. This can set a precedent for future projects, making them more cautious in their approaches to funding explicit content and the associated risks.
Highlights
- Taxpayer money shouldn't fund explicit performances.
- Transparent communication is vital in public arts funding.
- Reputation can be easily damaged in the arts sector.
- Public opinion shapes funding decisions significantly.
Public funding decision invokes backlash
The allocation and subsequent withdrawal of funding for the explicit arts project raised significant public concerns and scrutiny from lawmakers, which could lead to lasting changes in arts funding policies.
This incident may lead Creative Scotland to revise its funding strategies moving forward.
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