Support for the Draft Culture Bill
Councillor Kate Dean, Leader of Aberdeen City Council said:
"I welcome the draft Culture Bill and the draft guidance on local cultural entitlements. It is good that local authorities and the Executive have been able to work together so well in preparing these new approaches and I look forward to a continuing collaboration in ensuring that the necessary resources are allocated to this work. Cultural services are an essential and popular part of what we do in Aberdeen and across Scotland.
"The new entitlements approach has potential to encourage more people to get involved and enjoy culture. For that reason, I hope that councils and people across the country will take time to consider these proposals, and give the Executive their views."
Professor Michael Anderson, Chairman of the National Library of Scotland , said
I welcome the publication of the Draft Culture Bill, and the proposals to modernise the governing legislation of the National Collections.
"It is important that the National Collections have a modern set of powers and functions that focus on how we should together be serving Scotland, by making sure that the best of our cultural treasures is preserved and made available to people. We encourage everyone with an interest to get involved in the consultation and give the Executive their views."
Ray Macfarlane, Chair of Scottish Screen said:
"The publication of the bill is a key milestone in the progress towards Creative Scotland. It is critical that film makers and all those involved in the screen industries take this opportunity to engage in the consultation process. It is up to us to articulate our aspirations for Creative Scotland to ensure that it fulfils the role that we want it to play in the future development of the screen industries"
Professor John Wallace, Principal of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, said:
"I welcome the Executive's commitment to a Culture Bill and look forward to reading this draft.
The First Minister set the agenda for this initiative in his speech at the Academy on St Andrews day 2003. That speech was widely welcomed for the ambitious agenda it set out for culture and its role in our national life.
"There will be many people across Scotland enthusiastic to make a reality of the First Minister's ambitions, and I encourage all of them to contribute to this consultation, as we will."
Colin Marr, Theatre Director of Eden Court, Inverness, said:
"This is an important day for the arts and creativity in Scotland. I obviously haven't had the chance to read the bill yet but I know it will touch on many aspects of culture in Scotland from national excellence to local participation as well as governance and funding models.
"This is crucial to the future of theatre throughout Scotland. It is therefore important that everyone involved in the arts in Scotland takes this opportunity to comment on the draft Bill to help the Executive to improve its proposals."
Christine May, MSP, Chair of Scottish Libraries and Information Council, said:
"SLIC welcomes the draft Bill and the opportunity to comment on both the Bill and the associated statutory guidance.
"This is a perfect opportunity to ensure that libraries continue to lie at the heart of cultural entitlements, which they have done for over 150 years. Public libraries provide a range of exciting and inclusive ways in which individuals and communities are entitled to access information, reading and learning.
"SLIC is keen to ensure that library services are not further weakened by underinvestment or otherwise. Alongside the funding announced by the Minister to improve public libraries earlier this year, this consultation presents an opportunity to sustain and develop services which are fit for the 21st century"
Joanne Orr, Director of the Scottish Museums Council, said:
"SMC welcomes the announcement of the draft culture bill following the Scottish Executive's commitment and new investment in recognising collections of national significance held by non-national museums and galleries across Scotland.
"SMC's 340 member museums and galleries play a crucial role in the lives of individuals and communities across Scotland. Their contribution to learning, health and wellbeing, diversity, community confidence and tourism is unquestionable.
"I would therefore encourage everyone involved in or interested in their museums, galleries and local heritage to speak out and give their views to the Scottish Executive."
Scottish Opera spokesperson said:
"Scottish Opera warmly welcomes the publication of the Draft Culture Bill and its associated consultation.
"We are in full support of the proposal continued in the Draft Bill to transfer funding responsibility for Scottish Opera to the Scottish Executive in April 2007.
"We look forward to studying in detail the other areas of the Draft Bill and to engaging actively in the process of consultation."
News Archive