An unprecedented review of cultural provision in Scotland will boost access and excellence, Culture Minister Frank McAveety said today (22 April 2004).

He was speaking in the Scottish Parliament where he announced an independent commission which will review all existing cultural provision over the next 12 months.

The Commission will make recommendations on the development of arts and culture, aiming to promote much wider access, excellence and building on the nation’s reputation for creativity. It will work in full consultation and partnership with the people of Scotland.

Mr McAveety said the review was a “once in a generation opportunity” to look seriously and with maturity at the place and provision of culture in Scotland.

“Today is the start of a new era for Scotland’s culture. On St Andrew’s Day last year, the First Minister set out a vision of every citizen securing the right to access and excellence in our diverse culture, and the right to pursue the means of fulfilling whatever talents might be within them. We have given careful thought to how we can make the vision a reality,” said Mr McAveety.

The Commission will be chaired by James Boyle, presently chair of the Scottish Arts Council. 

Mr McAveety said:

“James is highly respected by the cultural community and I have been very impressed by the initiative and leadership he has brought to the Arts Council. 

“An external Commission, drawn from the wider community, will be best placed to listen to the cultural sector and understand what it tells them. I expect the Commission’s members to be highly experienced people who understand Scotland’s rich and complex cultural landscape. 

“The Commission will be able to look beyond, and confront, stereotypical notions of culture – and employ innovative and radical thinking, particularly in developing new ways of getting people involved.”

Mr McAveety said he was looking forward to receiving 21st century solutions for a sector whose governance has developed over many decades and now needs to be brought up to date.

“Our future support for culture must make sure the sector is working at its most effective and harness all available resources to deliver best value, directing the maximum possible level of resources to cultural activity and unleashing the innate creativity of people throughout Scotland.  

“The creativity of Scots – from the classroom to the boardroom – is the edge we need in a competitive world. Our duty as an Executive is to create the conditions that allow that creativity to flourish.

“I want us to work towards more equitable cultural provision for people in Scotland regardless of where they live, how old they are, or how much money they have. I believe a basic shift may be required in our cultural, political and administrative agencies to change the way they approach and deliver what they do."