# Are the arts fun or fundamental? At Voluntary Arts Scotland we recognise not just the importance of cultural output but who makes it – the people running voluntary arts groups and the impact it has on those individuals and the community around them. In the media coverage of the independence referendum so far, cultural policy, or lack thereof, has received scant regard – perhaps because it is already devolved (with the notable exception of broadcasting), or because it’s not deemed a vote-winner. Yet research shows that not only do over 2 million people in Scotland engage in cultural participation but the benefits it can bring are many and varied. > **There are over 10,000 voluntary arts groups across Scotland that generate opportunities for arts participation.** Voluntary Arts Scotland is indy neutral – the only thing we campaign for is an environment across Scotland where cultural participation can flourish. We are therefore well placed to explore the implications of 18 September from all sides. Indeed, our parent charity Voluntary Arts has a devolved organisational structure with colleagues based in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. At our upcoming conference in Glasgow, [Culture, Creativity and You: Why Making Matters](http://www.voluntaryarts.org/2013/11/11/voluntary-arts-scotland-conference-save-the-date/) we are hosting an independence referendum debate with representatives from Yes Scotland and Better Together. We want the people of Scotland to make an informed decision about the future of their country and that includes knowing how volunteering and arts participation will fair under a continued UK government or independent Scotland. Culture and volunteering have yet to be adequately explored in the independence debate and our open discussion will give both the campaign representatives and our delegates a chance to do just that. The debate will be chaired by Andy Milne from [SURF](http://www.scotregen.co.uk/), Scotland’s independent regeneration network and both sides will deliver a short opening speech about their respective policies before questions will be opened to the floor. Opportunities for cultural creativity don’t happen by magic. There are over 10,000 voluntary arts groups across Scotland, from painting to pottery and choirs to country dancing, that generate opportunities for arts participation. The people that run these groups demand little but deliver much to our social fabric, provided that barriers such as the affordability of volunteering, accessibility of venues, reliable local transport and disparities in local authority support for the arts can be overcome. We know that making matters, so much so it’s the title of our conference. But what do Yes Scotland and Better Together think of the arts? Is it fun or fundamental? Find out at our conference debate. Culture, Creativity and You: Why Making Matters – Voluntary Arts Scotland’s national conference will take place at Platform, The Bridge, Glasgow on Wednesday 26 February. [Book your place now](http://www.voluntaryarts.org/2013/11/11/voluntary-arts-scotland-conference-save-the-date/). --- ## About SCVO SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations) is the national membership organisation for Scotland's voluntary sector. Our role is to champion the role of voluntary organisations in Scotland and to support them to do work that has a positive impact. SCVO supports members and the wider voluntary sector with all aspects of setting up and running a voluntary organisation. SCVO represents the needs and concerns of the voluntary sector to the Scottish government in Holyrood and UK government and Westminster. Through our learning and events programme SCVO offers training and development opportunities to the sector. Members access an extensive membership benefits package including specialist, in-depth, 1-to-1 guidance from our Information Services team and from professional service partners. Access to exclusive membership networks (including comms, employers, governance and policy) supports members to grow their connections, stay up to date, exchange ideas and views with peers, and learn through tailored learning opportunities. SCVO members enjoy free access to Funding Scotland Premium to stay on top of funding opportunities to support their organisation’s financial resilience. Discounts and savings on SCVO products and services (including our HR service, managed IT support, payroll service and events and training) and partner offers provide members with support to allow them to focus on delivering their organisation’s goals. Further SCVO products and services include [extensive digital support](https://scvo.scot/support/digital), a climate action resource [Growing Climate Confidence](https://climateconfident.scot), a voluntary sector publication [Third Force News](https://tfn.scot) and a voluntary sector jobs and recruitment service [Goodmoves](https://goodmoves.org). For more information on SCVO membership, visit [SCVO membership](https://scvo.scot/membership)