“Fair work” and not meeting “equality, diversity and inclusion” criteria were among reasons given by Creative Scotland for withdrawing funding to the Lammermuir Festival, the Courier has been told.

The classical music festival, which concluded its 2023 offering on Monday, has been operating for 14 years.

The festival has received funding from Creative Scotland totalling £615,929 since 2011. Last year, it gave £90,000.

Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries, with funding from the Scottish Government and National Lottery.

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However, financial support for the county festival was denied this year, with organisers saying its future is now at risk after having to use reserve funding this year.

Two applications for cash were, said festival bosses, rejected by Creative Scotland on “fair work” grounds and for not meeting “equality, diversity and inclusion” standards, while a third was rejected as the public body was prioritising events held earlier in the year.

Creative Scotland says on its funding page that it will prioritise projects “supporting a diverse range of creative people, communities, and activity, promoting an equality of opportunity to create, participate and engage”.

The organisation’s objectives read: “We want more people, from across all parts of society, to have opportunities to participate in a range of artistic and creative activities and to work in the arts, screen and creative industries.

“Looking ahead, if the cultural life of Scotland, and the arts and creative sector itself, is to be sustained, refreshed, richer and more dynamic, then all Scottish society needs to be represented.

“Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) will continue to be at the heart of what we, and those we fund, do in 2023/24 and beyond.”

It also says that promoting “fair work”, including equal pay, employment opportunities and conditions, was key.

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The funding page states: “The impact of Covid-19 caused immediate financial hardship for many and showed the inequality that exists within the arts, screen and creative industries.

“Creative Scotland wants to help ensure that sectoral renewal is built upon applying the principles of fair work. By this we mean playing our role in helping to create the conditions for more meaningful and sustainable opportunities to work across, and progress through, the sector.”

This year’s festival featured a wide range of artists, including Scottish Opera, renowned pianist Steven Osborne and violinist Alina Ibragimova.

Festival venues included Holy Trinity Church in Haddington; Stenton Parish Church; Prestongrange Church in Prestonpans; St Mary’s Parish Church in Haddington and North Esk Church in Musselburgh.

More than 6,000 people attended the festival in 2023.

A spokesperson for the Lammermuir Festival told the Courier that the festival was diverse enough and that diversity was encouraged.

They said: “The opportunity for all, particularly those in the culturally underserved part of Scotland in which the festival exists, to engage in a world-class programme of classical music as well as participatory, community experiences are at the heart of the Lammermuir Festival.

“We are passionate about enabling more people from all parts of society to access our festival, and to benefit from the transformative power of classical music.

“We are in the midst of presenting a very diverse line-up of artists on stage and a programme which includes significant work by female composers, including a world premiere.

“The music department [at Creative Scotland] judged that we fully met Creative Scotland’s EDI criteria and strongly supported our application.”

Craig Hoy, South Scotland MSP, said he would “challenge” the notion that the festival has not promoted diversity.

He said: “The Lammermuir Festival has hosted many different musicians from a diversity of backgrounds, in addition to supporting local arts, tourism and hospitality locally.

“I would challenge the notion that it has not promoted inclusivity and diversity and hope that the funding can be restored.”

Kenny MacAskill, East Lothian MP, added: “Culture starts in our communities and has to be supported there.

“Limited funds go a long way in small towns and villages. Creative Scotland must ensure that local – not just elite – events and groups are provided for. Culture is not just for a professional elite but for all.”

Creative Scotland says that financial pressures mean it has to make tough funding choices.

A spokesperson for Creative Scotland said: “ Applications to each of the funds available through Creative Scotland are assessed against published eligibility criteria.

“The guidance sets out the criteria by which applications are assessed.

“The increasing demand on funds, and the financial challenges that festivals like Lammermuir and so many working in the creative and cultural sector are facing, is underlined in Creative Scotland’s recent submission to the Scottish Parliament’s inquiry into funding for culture, which strongly advocates for increased public investment after many years of standstill budgets.”