TMSA Traditional Music & Song Association of Scotland
 
 
 
 

TMSA Press Release 9th April 2010

It is with great sadness and deep regret that the Management Board of the Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland (TMSA) announces that due to financial constraints arising from the loss of core funding support from the Scottish Arts Council, it has become necessary to make members of the organisation’s paid staff redundant

Douglas Craik, the National Convener of the TMSA stated:

“Following the loss of core funding from the Scottish Arts Council in 2009, the TMSA has been actively reviewing its organisation and business plan. Every avenue has been explored to redress the adverse financial position in which many grassroots lowland Scottish traditional music and song organisations find themselves and consequently the Management Board has had no alternative but to make members of staff redundant. The National Office will continue to operate from its present location until the end of May 2010, after which it will be based at a location yet to be decided. Details of any new location and revised opening times will be posted on the TMSA web site (www.tmsa.org.uk) at a later date.

A new round of Scottish Arts Council Flexible Funding applications is currently underway, to which the TMSA has made a comprehensive and robust application, and if successful would hopefully mean the reinstatement of a fully functioning National Office. However, our current situation has been exacerbated somewhat by the recent announcement from SAC indicating that potential funding streams for this financial year are unlikely to be decided until June at the earliest. Unfortunately we do not have the resources to wait that long to hear if such relevant applications for staff and project funding have been successful. In such an uncertain environment, with the establishment of Creative Scotland unlikely to resolve this issue in the foreseeable future, we are left with little choice in the actions we have to take to protect the integrity of our 44 year old organisation.”

Craik continued - ‘’I would emphasise that TMSA as an organisation is not closing down. It will continue to undertake its funded projects, endeavour to organise the hugely impressive TMSA Young Trad Tours and Event Calendar, and continue to work successfully at Branch level with the volunteer Management Board remaining in place to steer the organisation through this transitional period. ’’

''We would take this opportunity to thank all our members of staff for their dedication and hard work on behalf of the TMSA, and their continued support during these difficult times is recognised and greatly appreciated. The Management Board wishes them much success in the future and thanks them for their commitment, advice and help, especially over the last difficult few years.''