Conclusion In summary: We are grateful for a first core grant increase in many years; However this in no way undoes the cumulative effect of 15 years’ of below CPI settlements, which – despite immense efforts – continues to leave us at individual and collective tipping points; We welcome the opportunity for further discussion on how the budget evolves to support the aspirations of the culture strategy, and helps us grow the outstanding cultural and economic benefits we have consistently delivered for Scotland over the last 15 years; We urge SG to consider the following practical steps that would provide meaningful additional support: o Early clarity on finalisation of the 24/25 budget, and a commitment to avoid the immense last minute pressures and uncertainty of March 2023, which were very disruptive to core activity and morale; o Multi-year grant agreements – we all work in artforms which require commitments to artists, creatives, and venues well in advance of an annually agreed funding settlement, meaning Scottish audiences are missing out on the world’s top talent who are already booked by the time our grant is confirmed, unless we take substantial financial risk; o Early clarity on the priorities and timings of the additional £100m for arts and culture announced by the First Minister at the SNP conference; o In particular a timeline for the prioritisation and allocation of the £25m for 25/26 announced by the Deputy First Minister in the budget speech; o Longer-term clarity and certainty around the strategy, quantum, timings and release of International Touring Fund (ITF) support, which is hugely important to us.