The Scottish Government

This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007

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Launch of Dewar Arts Awards

10/10/2002

The Dewar Arts Awards were launched today to assist talented young artists with limited financial resources in realising their potential.

The scheme will provide tailored awards to young people with exceptional talent in the arts. Endowed with £5 million by the Scottish Executive, the trust fund reflects and honours the life-long interest in the arts of the late Donald Dewar.

Launching the awards, First Minister Jack McConnell said:

"The Dewar Arts Awards are a fitting legacy for a great Scot who had a strong personal interest in the arts and a deep commitment to helping Scotland's young people reach their full potential.

"The Awards will enable young people from a range of backgrounds across Scotland to develop their artistic talents and so enrich our nation's diverse cultural life.

"Of course Donald Dewar's greatest legacy is the Scottish Parliament, which he saw not as an end, but as the best means of improving the lives of all Scots. Two years on from his untimely death, let us all today re-new our dedication to this vision."

Talent spotters with a range of experience in the arts, education and in community projects have been put in place to nominate potential candidates for the Awards.

The Fund will be co-ordinated by a board of Trustees, chaired by journalist and broadcaster Rush Wishart, and supported by Patrons including Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Calum Innes, Tommy Smith and Giles Havergal.

The Trustees of the Dewar Arts Awards are:

• Ruth Wishart (Chair of Trust), journalist, broadcaster, Chair of CCA in Glasgow.
• James Boyle, Chairman of the Scottish Arts Council, former Controller of BBC Radio Four and Radio Scotland.
• Brian McMaster, Director of the Edinburgh International Festival, former Director of Welsh National Opera, judge in Cardiff Singer of the World competition.
• Rozanne Foyer, Scottish Trades Union Congress Assistant Secretary.
• Jean Urquhart, Director of The Ceilidh Place in Ullapool, former member Scottish Arts Council.
• John Mulgrew, Director of Education, East Ayrshire Council.
• Faith Liddell, Director of DCA in Dundee, former Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival.
• John Wallace, Principal, Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.
• Sheila Colvin, former Associate Director of the Edinburgh International Festival, former General Director of the Aldeburgh Foundation, Board Member of Edinburgh Contemporary Arts Trust, Board Member of BT Ensemble and Trustee of the Virtuosi Society.
• Sam Galbraith, former Scottish Executive Minister for Children and Education.
• Catherine Lockerbie, Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival.
• Donald MacDonald, MacDonald Orr, Chair of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
• Paul Pia, Burness, lawyer.

• Graham Berry, Director of the Scottish Arts Council.

The Patrons of the Dewar Arts Awards are:

• Sir Cameron McIntosh
• Calum Innes
• Tommy Smith
• Giles Havergal, Artistic Director of the Citizens' Theatre in Glasgow.