A video and audio showcase of the arts in Scotland, a What’s On guide to arts events and resources for arts professionals are all part of an exciting new Scottish Arts Council website launched today (16 November 2004) by Patricia Ferguson MSP, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport.

Patricia Ferguson stated ‘This is a wonderful way to showcase Scotland’s strong arts scene,’ said the Minister.  ‘There is enormous potential to promote Scotland through a comprehensive website like this which presents such an attractive and dynamic picture of the arts in Scotland.  I am intrigued to know that already people are logging on from Canada, the US, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Spain and Austria.’

Speaking at the launch, Scottish Arts Council Director Graham Berry added, ‘We want our website to be first and foremost about the arts in Scotland, and then about how the Scottish Arts Council is championing the arts.  

‘Our new website does not replicate the websites of other arts providers, but provides a central resource which also signposts users and drives traffic to other websites.  We have designed the website to appeal to the public as well as to support and showcase our artists.  We are confident that this will increase knowledge and understanding of the arts, and encourage people to take an interest, which in turn will support the artists.’

www.scottisharts.org.uk offers:

• a huge amount of arts information presented to appeal to the public
• showcase of the arts by providing images, video and audio clips of performances, poetry readings and music
• rich design and visual content
• educative features in plain English to ‘demystify’ the arts
• an events listing
• areas highlighting all the arts, Scots, Gaelic and festivals
• an improved service to the public and artists
• global promotion of a positive contemporary image of a cultured, creative Scotland
• better navigation and search facilities
• more information on career support and opportunities for artists
• case studies of good practice for more experienced practitioners.