Creative Scotland too bureaucratic and slow and needs overhauled, review finds

Creative Scotland must be overhauled after becoming too bureaucratic and slow, an independent review has found.

The 70-page report, commissioned by the Scottish Government, found Scotland’s national arts body lacked ambition.

But while reform is needed, Angela Leitch, who led the review, said it was still relevant and praised it as a stabilising force during austerity and Covid-19.

The chairwoman said there was general agreement that it had provided “significant” support to the sector over the last 15 years, and there was “widespread agreement” that it held “considerable expertise and insight, and its support is valued by the sector”.

She made 36 recommendations for the agency, including a clearer long-term strategy, better financial planning, stronger board oversight and more transpar