THE leading Scottish jazz artist Tommy Smith has implored Creative Scotland to reconsider its controversial funding shake-up.
Creative Scotland recently unveiled a new funding set-up that puts more than 40 of Scotland's leading arts companies on project funding, replacing the longer-term funding which is to end next year.
Mr Smith, a saxophonist, has seen his Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, which he founded 17 years ago, put on project funding.
In a letter to Creative Scotland, he wrote: "In response to Creative Scotland's decision to fund the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra on a project by project basis, I would implore you to reconsider."
He listed the SNJO's list of achievements and added: "I would argue that, rather than facing effective cuts in funding, the organisation should be placed on a secure financial footing and recognised as a national asset."
Critics of the changes fear project-based funding will bring instability to the finances of the companies involved – endangering future productions and limiting artistic choices.
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