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Scotland's National Cultural Strategy Annual Report 2003

'EAST-WEST' PLEDGE BY LORD PROVOSTS -

in August, Ministers welcomed the commitment by the Lord Provosts of Edinburgh and Glasgow for the 2 cities to work together more closely on projects of mutual benefit in relation to culture, sport and tourism.

In 2003, paintings from the National Galleries of Scotland were exhibited at the Burrell Galleries, Pollockshields, Glasgow. "National Treasures" was a major loan exhibition to Glasgow City Council's museums and galleries, including paintings by Vermeer and Singer Sargent.

RESEARCH REVIEW -

the Executive is undertaking a literature review of relevant research into the impacts of culture and sport. This will be posted on the website, helping to inform the development of policy and future research work by the Executive, the cultural agencies and wider research community.

"DEVELOP, DISSEMINATE AND APPLY RELEVANT RESEARCH INTO ASPECTS OF CULTURAL PROVISION IN SCOTLAND"

NEW NAMES SERVING SCOTLAND'S CULTURE -

the following appointments were made by Scottish Ministers to Scotland's national cultural agencies this year:

Bòrd na Gàidhlig (Alba) -Arthur Cormack, Ceit Anna Macleod, Agnes Rennie, Boyd Robertson, Rosemary Ward

National Galleries of Scotland -James Dawnay, Gordon Mackie - and reappointments Gavin Gemmell and Ian McKenzie Smith

National Museums of Scotland -Lesley Hart - and reappointments Christina Macaulay, Sir Neil Macintosh CBE, Ian Smith

Scottish Screen -Dinah Caine, Richard Martin Findlay, Kay Henning, Malcolm Ritchie, Iain AR Smith - and reappointment Bryan Beattie (since resigned to become expert adviser to the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport)

Scottish Arts Council -Steve Grimmond, Jennifer Hawksworth, Arthur Herman, Roy McEwan, Annie Marrs (at age 19, the youngest ever appointee), Richard GM Smith, Ben Twist - and reappointments Joanna Baker and Louise Mitchell

sportscotland- Kim Atkinson, Steve Grimmond, Stephen Wright - and reappointments Dr Linda Leighton-Beck, Ritchie Campbell, Alastair Dempster (Chair), Wai-Yin Hatton, Ian Mason

>> ACTION CONTINUES

NATIONAL MUSEUMS LOOK AHEAD -

in July 2003, the National Museums of Scotland launched a new vision and strategy to enable the Museums to contribute fully to the national agenda for learning, inclusion and enterprise. The National Museums will expand their learning programmes, reaching a larger and more diverse audience - at their buildings, within communities across Scotland, and through the creation of digital resources. The National Museums of Scotland will enhance their national role, providing advice and support across the museums sector, and creating strategic partnerships with the education and heritage community, with local authorities and the tourist industry.

"WORK WITH CoSLA AND OTHERS TO PROMOTE EFFECTIVE LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS"

CULTURAL AGENCIES WELCOME COMMUNITY PLANNING -

Scotland's national cultural agencies and Lottery distributors are considering with local authority bodies ways for effective engagement with Community Planning Partnerships, to improve the quality of life of communities across Scotland, by maximising the role of culture and sport.

NEXT STEPS TO DEVELOP LOCAL CULTURAL PROVISION -

following the March 2003 publication of guidance for local authorities by the Executive and CoSLA, a newly formed working group of those parties, VOCAL (the Voice of Chief Officers for Cultural, Community and Leisure Services in Scotland) and SOLACE (The Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers) is looking at further steps to assess current provision, identify good practice, and develop future investment strategies for local culture and leisure provision.

"ENSURE THAT THE POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTION OF CULTURE IS RECOGNISED IN COMMUNITY PLANNING"

CONSULTATION ON CULTURE -

the Executive's Partnership commitments to "consult on the future governance of the arts, culture and the creative industries in Scotland" and to "consider a single cultural organisation for Scotland" are being taken forward in a major public consultation exercise this year. The Executive hopes for a lively response, to inform a future vision for Scotland's cultural life, and how to achieve it. Responses can be made on e-mail: creativescotland.consultation@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

"WORK WITH FUNDING BODIES AND THOSE CHARGED WITH MAKING CULTURAL PROVISION TO AGREE A CLEAR SET OF NATIONAL PRIORITIES FOR CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT"

SUPPORT FOR THE BUILT HERITAGE -

under the Historic Building Repairs Grant Scheme Historic Scotland continues to support projects conserving our built heritage. Support to a range of buildings and important venues includes:

• Cottier Theatre (former Dowanhill Church) Hyndland Street, Glasgow - this impressive Gothic building is being restored as a theatre venue. To date grant of approximately 726,000 has been awarded to the scheme.

• The Fergusson Gallery, Perth - the Gallery is housed in a distinctive A-listed building, which was the original Perth Water Works, converted to house a collection of works by artist JD Fergusson. A comprehensive scheme of external repairs has received grant of 230,700.

CAMPAIGN FOR A SUSTAINABLE BUILT ENVIRONMENT -

"Sust: The Lighthouse on Sustainability" is a campaign to raise awareness of sustainable design in the built environment. A variety of activities funded by the Executive is taking place in 2003-04 aimed at client groups, architects and other design professionals, and community based organisations.

NEW STATISTICAL BASE DEVELOPING -

the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) is working with the Executive, local authority representative bodies, the authorities themselves and the cultural agencies to develop a common basis for collecting statistics for local cultural provision. It is hoped this will lead to an annual publication for the sector.

Gloxinia Sculpture, Fergusson Gallery,
photo courtesy of SCRAN

"ESTABLISH AN EFFECTIVE SYSTEM FOR GATHERING AND DISSEMINATING INFORMATION AND STATISTICS"

• FRAMEWORK TO SUPPORT SCOTLAND'S LANGUAGES

An Leabhar Mor, The Great Book of Gaelic,
Neil MacPherson image

>> ACTION SINCE NOVEMBER 2002

Fèis Accordian Player

SUPPORT OF THE SCOTS LANGUAGE -

the national language strategy will recognise the importance of the Scots language to the community it serves and to Scotland as a whole, while guiding development and support of this important part of the country's distinctive linguistic and cultural heritage.

GAELIC ARTS REACH NEW HEIGHTS -

in February 2003 the Scottish Arts Council announced increased investment of 156% in Gaelic arts. This brings the Council's investment in Gaelic arts projects to 4 million over 8 years, with an additional 4.5 million towards building dedicated arts centres. The new Gaelic policy reflects the significant developments within Gaelic arts activity, highlighting its value both within and beyond the country.

• Proiseact nan Ealan receives a 25% increase to 140,000 with an additional 15,000 for the promotion of traditional music;

• The Gaelic Books Council is recognised with a 15% increase to 151,000;

• Feisaean nan Gaidheal gets a 7% increase to 90,000 with extra investment for the promotion of traditional music;

• HI-Arts gets a 72% increase to 50,000;

• An Lanntair in Stornoway which is looking forward to the creation of a new arts centre with Lottery support, will get a 31% grant increase to 133,000;

• Taigh Chearsabhagh in Lochmaddy will see its grant more than double to 38,000 in recognition of its realistic ambitions to mount bigger-scale projects and work involving new media.

>> ACTION CONTINUES

PLANNING TO SUPPORT SCOTLAND'S LANGUAGES -

a new national language strategy is another commitment in the "Partnership for a Better Scotland" programme. This will steer the development and support of Scotland's languages, including British Sign Language and ethnic community languages. Local authorities and public bodies will be responsible for drawing up languages plans reflecting the communities they serve.

• CELEBRATING SPONSORSHIP SUPPORT FOR CULTURAL PROVISION

Science Zone at The Royal Museum,
Edinburgh

>> ACTION SINCE NOVEMBER 2002

BT HELPS MUSEUMS COMMUNICATE WITH TECHNOLOGY -

in October, the " Communicate!" opened at the Royal Museum in Edinburgh. In one of the Museum's most important partnerships ever, BT have invested 450,000 sponsorship and an endowment fund of 550,000 for a curatorial post. The new permanent exhibition space takes an innovative approach to the display, conservation and enjoyment of telecommunications heritage. A genuinely distributed national collection, it is underpinned by new technology to create a 'state of the art' virtual museum as its hub. It includes 8 new permanent exhibitions and galleries in museums around the UK, as well as the Museum on the Internet.

As a taster, in April 2003, "Science Zone at the Royal Museum" was a partnership project by the National Museums and the University of Edinburgh, within the Edinburgh International Science Festival - it attracted around 14,000 visitors to its shows and workshops, facilitated by University students.

IN THE MIX -

the provision of fine music to the Highlands continued in September 2003 with the second Wester Ross Festival. Building on the success of its inaugural year, the event ran for a weekend, and secured funding from the Scottish Arts Council and commercial sponsorship from fish farmers Marine Harvest. The theme of the 2003 festival was the music of mix and migration, including tribal African music, Latin American salsa, the sound of the Appalachian mountains, and 2 concerts by Eliza Carthy.

GETTING SCOTLAND SWIMMING -

the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport teamed up with Scotland's swimming Commonwealth Gold medallist Alison Sheppard MBE, in Glasgow in June, to launch the national "Getting Scotland Swimming" strategy and present certificates to the first group of youngsters to complete the new Bank of Scotland National Swimming Award. The strategy maps the development of swimming in Scotland over the next 10 years as an activity for lifelong participation - from learn to swim, to clubs, the Olympic and Commonwealth podium and those seeking a healthy lifestyle.

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport,
Frank McAveety MSP, and Alison Sheppard MBE,
Commonwealth Gold Medalist presenting the
HBOS National Swimming Awards, courtesy of Sandy Young

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