Impact Arts launches Holyrood Elections Manifesto

For the first time ever, Impact Arts is launching a manifesto ahead of the 2026 Scottish elections.

Our vision: A Scotland where people and communities benefit from life-transforming creativity that tackles inequalities and addresses poverty.

CEO Fiona Doring says: “For decades, Impact Arts has seen first hand how arts-based approaches transform their lives through improving wellbeing, strengthening communities, and developing life chances.

“Ahead of the 2026 Scottish elections, we urge decision makers to recognise the arts as a vital part of building a fairer, healthier, and more connected Scotland.”

OUR MANIFESTO ASKS

Scotland’s leaders, we urge you to:

1. Recognise Creative Engagement as a Public Health Approach

2. Improve Access to Creative Preventative Mental Health Approaches

3. Ensure Access to Arts-Based Therapies for Children Facing Trauma and Poverty

4. Embed Creative, Flexible and Person-Centred Approaches into Whole Family Wellbeing

5. Support Creative Ageing to Bring Joy to Later Years

6. Increase Access to Quality Arts-Based Education & Employment Programmes

7. Support Neurodiverse Young People Through Quality Arts & Creativity Projects

8. Promote Creative Home-Making as Key to Sustaining Tenancies & Preventing Homelessness

9. Celebrate Creative Placemaking

Impact Arts urges Scotland’s leaders to embed creativity across public policy. By investing in arts-based and creative approaches, we can build a more inclusive, stronger, and imaginative society.

Explore our extended manifesto featuring references to research and commentary from Culture Counts, Arts Culture Health and Wellbeing Scotland, Voluntary Health Scotland, Social Biobehavioural Research Group, National Academy for Social Prescribing, Scotland’s Mental Health Partnership, The Scottish Government, Skills Development Scotland, Children’s and Youth Arts Advocacy (CYAA), Scottish Autism, Homeless Network Scotland, and SURF – Scotland’s Regeneration Forum.