This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Minister defends arts funding
23/01/2003
The Executive's level of investment in and committment
to the arts in Scotland was defended today.
In a letter to Scottish Arts Council Chairman James
Boyle, Culture Minister Mike Watson responded to
allegations of indifference and inadequate funding.
Mr Watson expressed his disappointment that some in the
sector still fail to recognise that the Executive has made
available record levels of funding for the arts and culture
through the Scottish Budget.
Funding through the Scottish Arts Council and the three
Scottish national institutions will go through the £100
million barrier next year for the first time.
The letter is reproduced below:
"It is wholly unacceptable for you to suggest that
different Ministers have different stances and fail to
value the arts sufficiently. I can assure you that the
First Minister and my Ministerial colleagues share my
commitment to arts and culture in all its forms. The First
Minister's recent speeches clearly outline his belief in
the major role cultural activities play in delivering
excellence in our schools and building growth in our
economy.
"My Ministerial colleagues and I are particularly
concerned that you fail to recognise that the Executive has
ensured record levels of funding for the arts and culture.
Since 2000/01 (the last year when budgets were determined
by the preceding administration) funding for the arts and
for culture has increased in real terms. The present level
of support is at record levels. Total grants in 2000/01
were £120m; in 2005/06 they will be just under £186m. There
have been real terms increases to SAC baselines which will
increase to £40m in 2005/06. In addition, the Executive has
in recent years allocated well over £10m to specific
projects in the arts including the Dewar awards, Scottish
Opera, school cultural co-ordinators, Burns, and the
Edinburgh Festival. I therefore neither understand nor
accept the suggestion that there has been standstill
funding.
"We are proud to defend the Executive's record and our
commitment to the National Cultural Strategy; we applaud
the achievement and aspiration of those working in the
arts. We are always willing to discuss the many issues
raised in the article with you and others and to consider
any positive proposal. However, we consider such a negative
and unappreciative public commentary completely unhelpful
in terms of the objectives to which I, the First Minister
and my Ministerial colleagues are committed and that it
does a disservice to the wider perception of the arts and
cultural sector."