As its contribution to an open and wide-ranging debate about Scotland’s cultural future, the Scottish Arts Council has today (Thursday) published its submission to the Cultural Commission on its website at www.scottisharts.org.uk

Entitled ‘Towards a Cultured, Creative Scotland’, the Scottish Arts Council’s submission suggests some radical changes to Scotland’s cultural infrastructure.  The submission proposes several new ideas aimed at creating a country where the people of Scotland enjoy the benefit of arts and culture as a matter of course.

The key points of the submission are:

• A Minister for Culture in the Cabinet,
• A National Cultural Partnership representing all cultural interests, including galleries, museums, libraries and the heritage sector,
• Regional Planning Forums, involving a wide range of partners including artists,
• Children’s first year of school devoted to creativity,
• Developing a new agency to work as a dedicated advocate for the arts and culture, using technology such as weblogs and SMS, to reach and develop audiences,
• An Artists’ Charter, to enhance the status of, and facilities for, artists,
• Defining ‘national’ companies by their achievements and role, rather than the size of their budget,
• Strengthening the infrastructure of Scotland’s traditional arts.
   

Graham Berry, Director, Scottish Arts Council said: ‘We want a country where the richness and vitality of its cultural life and languages draws its people to contribute to it, and draws visitors from around the world to experience it.

‘We want to put creativity at the heart of schools, public services, the workplace and society.  We want a country where artists are valued and encouraged to work internationally.

‘The challenges are considerable. Nothing less than a fundamental shift in our national mindset, which moves cultural concerns from the margins to the mainstream of civic life, is required.’

‘Towards a Cultured, Creative Scotland’ followed discussions with artists, arts organisations and cultural workers during the development of our five-year Corporate Plan.  The ideas proposed are in response to the first phase of Cultural Commission’s review of arts and culture and are presented as a contribution to the ongoing discussions, rather than as a dedicated programme of work.  There are plans for further consultation, with both artists and arts organisations, as well as with key cultural partners, to inform further stages of the Commission’s review.